Pussy Riot‘s Nadya Tolokonnikova is known for making music that serves as a form of activism. It is now being said that she has been put on Russia’s Most Wanted List. The Russian group recently released live footage of a piece of theirs from last year titled “Putin’s Ashes”, where they destroyed a portrait of the Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.
While it hasn’t been said what exactly landed her on this list, she has faced criminal charges for speaking out against Christianity.
In Russia, it is considered a criminal offense to “offend” another person’s religion. She even spent two years incarcerated for the same reason.
Earlier this month, Tolokonnikova released a statement about the criminal charges on Instagram, saying,
“Dear Investigative Committee of Russia. Stop fucking around threatening political activists with more criminal cases. Go after actual criminals, such as the war criminal Vladimir Putin. Best of luck. Xx Nd.”
She went on to say,
“Russia officially opened a criminal case against me, charges are under art. 148, known as the Pussy Riot law. It opened on Jan 17 and coincides with my media campaign for Putin’s Ashes at Jeffrey Deitch gallery in LA. At the same time i’m receiving dozens of death threats.”
The article she’s referring to is what deemed offending another’s religion illegal and was set into motion after a protest in 2012 led by Pussy Riot at Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral. The anti-Putin protest was called “Punk Prayer”.
As of 2021, Tolokonnikova is considered a “foreign agent” in Russia. However, over here in the States, Pussy Riot will be receiving the 2023 Woody Guthrie Prize.
This prize is awarded to artists who “best exemplify Woody Gutherie’s spirit and work by speaking for the less fortunate through music, film, literature, dance or other forms and serving as a positive force for social change.”
Tolokonnikova doesn’t just use her art to promote change, she is active in helping others. She raised almost $7 million for Ukrainians that are being hurt by the war with Russia. She did so by selling NFTs of the country’s flag.
This woman has committed her life to using her talent and art to help others, no matter the cost. Pussy Riot is proof that it doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about, or where your skills lie, they can be used for good.
May we all find the courage Nadya Tolokonnikova has.
