Feminist to Know: Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot, the Russian feminist punk rock band led by Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina, rose to international prominence in 2011 for their daring performances and staunch anti-Putin activism. The group, which was originally comprised of primarily anonymous members, orchestrated guerrilla-style concerts in public spaces, using bold lyrics and vibrant costumes to condemn Putin's regime, violence against queer people and women, and restrictions on political freedom in Russia.

In February 2012, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich were arrested for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred after staging a “Punk Prayer” in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral, critiquing the close ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and Putin's regime. The ensuing trial and imprisonment triggered international outrage on behalf of the band and ignited debates on artistic freedom.

Following their release, Pussy Riot persisted in global activism, spotlighting feminist, queer, and anti-fascist issues. Notably, during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, members of the group ran onto the field and stopped the game to protest government corruption and human rights abuses.

Recently in 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Alyokhina and her girlfriend, fled Russia and house arrest in disguise. Functioning effectively in exile now, Pussy Riot continues to create avant-garde performance art and critique Putin's government. Their music, a fusion of punk rock and hyperpop influences, features collaborations with queer and trans artists from around the world. As unapologetic voices of Russian dissent, Pussy Riot bravely champions body autonomy, political freedom, and artistic expression, practicing a feminist solidarity that transcends borders.