Pussy Riot's daring Munich protest calls Putin a "war criminal"

The punk rock group Pussy Riot, renowned for their controversial antics, recently carried out a bold act of defiance against Vladimir Putin at a museum in Munich.

In a fleeting yet impactful performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art Old Pinakothek in Munich, Pussy Riot directed their anti-Kremlin sentiments towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling him a "war criminal." The museum's lobby staircase transformed into an impromptu stage for the activists, who, with their faces obscured by knitted masks, energetically decried the bombings in Ukraine and urged solidarity with its people. In a particularly provocative gesture, one member went so far as to lift her skirt and urinate on a portrait of Putin, an act of disdain witnessed by the gathered crowd.

This unconventional demonstration at the Pinakothek was not Pussy Riot's first, as they had previously staged similar protests. Shortly after, they reappeared, this time unmasked, wearing black sweaters emblazoned with the stark message: "No Putin, No War".

The visit to Munich was initiated by Austrian artist and performer Wolfgang Flatz, who sought to introduce Pussy Riot to a retrospective of his work displayed at the Pinakothek. The appearance of the Russian activists attracted a sizable audience, with plans for another impromptu concert at the Munich cultural center Bahnwärter Thiel.

Flatz, who first encountered Pussy Riot at a 2021 concert in his Austrian hometown of Dorbrin, openly admires the political activism of Pussy Riot members, recognizing the severe repercussions—imprisonment, house arrest, and other forms of repression—they've faced in Russia for their dissent. He commended their exceptional bravery.

"There are few women who have the balls to stand up and publicize the political society and dangerous situation we are in" he commented, alluding to the rise of right-wing politics across Europe. He emphasized the urgency of taking a stand, cautioning that silence now would leave one regretful and complicit later.

Formed in 2011, Pussy Riot vividly merges their music with pointed critiques of the Russian government. The group skyrocketed to international attention with their 2012 performance at Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior. With faces concealed by scarves, they delivered their "punk prayers" against the Kremlin's policies, an act that led to their arrest.

Source: Deutsche Welle