In an exclusive interview with Maria Alyokhina, we had the chance to inquire more about her take on activism, creativity, fear and freedom. While promoting Hermann Vaske’s new movie, “Why Are We Creative?”, at the Art Directors Club – Festival 2019 in Hamburg, Maria Alyokhina, or, as she is more famously known, “Masha” from Pussy Riot, sat down to reflect upon her experiences as a political activist and member of the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot.

hFMA Netzreporter (nr): You’re visiting Germany at quite an eventful time -here-. Students are taking on to the streets to protest against climate change and also raise awareness for, you know, matters and issues that just really resonate with young people. What would you say to young protesters, to young people who are, you know, being active in the political field? What do you encourage them to do? Especially, when they face criticism for their action? 

Maria Alyokhina (MA): If you face criticism – you can of course listen to it but it shouldn’t stop you I believe. If you believe in your truth, of course, you should fight for it and it’s I think it’s relevant both for young activists or for any age activists. I think we shouldn’t -be- afraid to go to unknown fields and unknown topics to speak first about things and just do it.

nr: While you were in prison you got so much support from all over the world. Now, especially that you raise awareness for the colleague of yours, who is in prison as well right now and that you want to raise awareness for, how important was it for you that, while being in prison, you actually had the support from people all over the world who did not forget your name?

MA: Well it’s of course it’s important to speak about political prisoners and I felt on myself that it really works because it gives you a physical protection – at least they will not kill you. But you know Russian prison it’s like modern gulag. So you are totally isolated, it’s not like you’re, you know, swimming on the world’s attention. You have to work for like 12 hours, six days a week in police uniform – in uniform for Russian army without any salary. So that has helped me to remember that it doesn’t matter in which conditions you are. You can keep your internal freedom and you can fight even if everything is against you. Fight! So probably this example can be useful for somebody.

nr: -Very brave indeed- Would you say that all dictators are afraid of creativity? Are all dictators afraid of young people, in particular, voicing their anger and their frustration?

MA: Well those people whom you called dictators they are afraid of change, of course. Because if there will be a change, there will be no dictators. So again, we are all responsible in which world we are living and we all can create this world. I mean this is important not just to say these words but to show the example how it is. So that’s why speaking with you.

nr: Now, looking back at your life, and in particular now that you have a child on your own, would you do the same things too now? Would you write in the same way? Would you be as present in this protest as you were given that you had to fear an actually face physical violence – that you had to fear prison terms on your own?

MA: I didn’t have fear and I still don’t have fear. And yes, I have a son, tomorrow is his birthday; he will be 12 (laughs). So, I don’t have any regrets. I think what we do we do for our children. I mean, my parents didn’t have an answer for me. They weren’t protesting against, you know, a Soviet regime when people went to prison because of a single demonstration, for printing underground books and you know when my son will grow up I will have this answer – and I hope this answer will be okay.

nr: May I just thank you and спасибо (spaseeba) for your bravery. Thank you!

The interview was conducted by hFMA Netzreporter Maurice Daniel Göbel in May 2019.