Maria Alyokhina colony IK 28 Berezniki interview before hunger Free Pussy Riot Maria Alyokhina
Channel: PussyRiotEng
Date: 2013-06-04

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Maria Alyokhina colony IK-28 Berezniki (Russia) recent interview just 2 months ago before the hunger strike (english subtitles) Free Pussy Riot

Maria Alyokhina

Why have you been in solitary confinement since November? What's an average day like?
My typical day begins with breakfast followed by studying for a seamstress qualification. Later I have a break for lunch and then I go back to studying until about 3 pm. I believe the reason I've been put in shizo [тут журнал объясняет, что русское слово шизо - это сокращение от "шизофрения" :-) ] is because it is a way of isolating me from the rest of the colony and I can only assume that I might be released from here in a month or two. Meanwhile, I've signed a document agreeing to prolong my stay here, as it is in a way the best out of two evils, and possibly the only solution to maintain some kind of comfortable living.
Do you consider your protest to have been a success?
I think yes - it had definitely been successful. To my regret, there is a two-sided situation here. Among intelligent/thinking/questioning people, who understand us, we are seen as people who have brought up and highlighted a very serious issue, a range of problems even. But sadly among the general crowd that I have encountered our act has not been understood at all. People have heard only fractions of the story, out of which they puzzle together one terrifying piece, and to explain the reality of everything happening I need a lot of time. I don't have a problem trying to explain. It helps me to see the situation clearer, but clearly propaganda is doing its dirty job. At any encounter people tend to take a negative view of the situation. Everyone I speak to in prison changes their opinion after a single conversation. And people become fascinated with the story showing real and honest interest. There are a lot of people who actually do want to change the country for the better, who admit they have no rights and feel lost.
So the key idea was to change the country for the better?
A lot of people want it. The quality of life in this country is very low, so to change it to the better is a priority.
Your coloured balaclavas have become a symbol of rebellion throughout the world. Do you think that without the masks you would have achieved such notoriety?
To be honest I didn't even think about it. Masks and balaclavas are one of the key elements... We didn't want to be female faces talking because the aim was to create fictional characters and make them speak. That's why I never even considered such an option. Didn't try to imagine.
Is being anonymous a protester's greatest weapon?
Definitely, I hope the main hero for modern Russia would be anon. Meaning a civil activist who is actively participating in the political life of the country.
Russians can now be fined for taking part in unauthorized demonstrations, and the video of your "punk prayer" has been blocked under extremism laws. How can opposition survive in this climate of censorship?
How to act in such a situation is a personal choice for everyone. I would like to believe that first of all people will be morally strong and independent and will find a way, but mainly that will have a will to find that way, to continue what we started. As we know, in Soviet days times were much harder and more challenging, but people nevertheless valued the freedom of speech. Words seem to have meant much more than they do today. Repression in some ways is even a positive factor, as it teaches people to appreciate what they have, to express themselves and value the freedom of that expression.
Do you think the majority of Russians are for or against these two examples of censorship?
Sadly I think the majority of Russians did not realize or notice the censorship that is being introduced at the moment. Unfortunately, that's the truth. People do not see it happening at all.
So it did not exist before?
It did exist. But since the fourth re-election, measures have been taken over a very short period of time that show the things are going to get harder and control stronger. I watch news and try to analyse what is happening. I mean government channels specifically. I want to say that the angle at which news are presented is much harder than we saw during Medvedev, for example. Censorship existed all this time, obviously, and even those working for government channels mentioned it on numerous occasions, but from my point of view it is really getting worse now.
How vital is the Internet as a tool for protesters today?...

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