Events

A witness theater performance by Varvara Faer (Teatr.doc, Moscow) about Pussy Riot, the womens punk group now famous for singing the prayer Mother of God, drive Putin away! in a Russian church, and their subsequent prosecution. Two members of the group, Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, are currently serving sentences in a prison camp, while another member, Ekaterina Samutsevich, was sentenced to probation. The performance is based on the eyewitness account of Elena Masyuk, a journalist and human rights activist closely involved with Pussy Riot, who has had the opportunity to visit the convicted members, Maria and Nadezhda. The actress Milena Tskhovreba, whose response to Pussy Riot has been far from unequivocal, will also join the performance. Ekaterina Samutsevich will participate via Skype. Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes. A discussion will follow the performance. Co-sponsored by Columbia University's Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America Tickets will be required for admission. Stay tuned for details to be announced next week. 

Performance will be in Russian. No simultaneous interpretation will be provided. A video, with English subtitles, will be posted to the Harriman website.

Seating is limited and reservations are required. Registered guests must arrive by 6:45pm to be guaranteed a seat. Unfilled seats will be released to the waiting list after 6:45pm.