MARIA ALYOKHINA + MILO RAU by Literaturfestival Zürich 2026

2026-06-06 13:25:47 UTC

What can art actually achieve politically — and where do we overestimate its power?

2026-06-06 13:38:04 UTC

Maria Alyokhina, you protested with Pussy Riot against the opening of the Russian Pavilion. I’m interested in the underlying line you draw here: do you fundamentally doubt that Russian artists working within official structures can still engage with the regime in a subversive or critical way? After all, art often does precisely what is not expected of it. And if the issue is cultural whitewashing by states engaged in war, shouldn’t one then, to be consistent, also protest against appearances by artists from other countries involved in military violence — such as the United States or Israel?

2026-06-06 13:40:06 UTC

Reicht symbolischer Widerstand?

2026-06-06 13:42:16 UTC

Mich interessiert die Grenze zwischen Zeugenschaft und Inszenierung. Wenn reale Gewalt, Haft, Krieg oder politische Unterdrückung auf eine Bühne kommen: Wie verhindert man, dass das Publikum sich moralisch berührt fühlt, aber am Ende doch in einer sicheren Zuschauerposition bleibt?

2026-06-06 13:43:40 UTC

Ist das für politische Kunst am Ende die grössere Gefahr: Repression oder Vereinnahmung?

2026-07-07 17:10:40 UTC

To Milo:

By which criteria you decide which russian origin artists you working with and who you blocking? How do you define the role of cancel culture?

2026-07-08 19:23:23 UTC

Wie beurteilen Sie die aktuelle WM in den USA vor dem Hintergrund der ägyptischen Niederlage gegen Argentinien? Halten Sie den Vorwurf des ägyptischen Trainers, es gebe im internationalen Fussball rassistische Muster oder eine strukturelle Bevorzugung globaler Stars wie Lionel Messi, für begründet?

Und liesse sich eine solche Inszenierung von Macht, Popularität und medialer Deutungshoheit mit den politischen Nebelwerken vergleichen, wie man sie etwa aus Russland kennt?

2026-07-10 16:22:29 UTC

I do not see much difference between the western governments and Russia government on how they suppress artists and art activism. Russia is throwing its artists to jail the west is pursuing cancel culture and cutting funding on artists and institution that are critical of the government or its allies. The western institution can easily initiated cultural boycott selectively or cancel those artists that are critical of the Western double standards. Can you share with us your views regarding the double standards or Russuphobia or racism?

efreette — 2026-07-10 19:01:37 UTC

Maria Alyokhina, do you think the West understands Russia, and Eastern Europe relationships at large (e.g. what’s at stake in the war in Ukraine)? What do you think are their blind spots? What do you think is the most important message about the geopolitical realities of the region to get across to Western elites?

2026-07-10 19:25:12 UTC

To Maria: How can you still love? And how can we support humans in Russia?

To Milo: Why don‘t you do a trial in Switzerland? I see your global perspective but there is also so much shit going on here

2026-07-10 19:37:59 UTC

To Maria: What kind of positive utopia do you see for russia? Or ist there only distopia?

2026-07-10 19:45:41 UTC

Both: Is there anything to the notion of "Russian willingness to suffer and deprivation"? Has the russian nation reacted differently to Putin in your opinion than other nations would have?

2026-07-10 19:48:10 UTC

To Milo: When talking to people like Peter Thiel, how to make sure the overton window ("Fenster des Sagbaren") is not being shifted even more to far-right/autoritarian? And is that even possible?

2026-07-10 19:53:52 UTC

to both: you said switzerland will probably stay save forever, which is a huge priviledge. in your both opinions, what activism/political work also internationally should switzerland or citicens of switzerland take action in?

2026-07-10 19:58:33 UTC

If the was will be over, what type of lesson the russian society got by not having the feeling of collective and personal guit?