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Pussy Riot!: A Punk Prayer for Freedom
Note: Profits from the sale of this ebook will support the Pussy Riot legal defense team.
On February 21, 2012, five members of a Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot staged a performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Dressed in brightly colored tights and balaclavas, they performed their “Punk Prayer” asking the Virgin Mary to drive out Russian president Vladimir Putin from the church. After just forty seconds, they were chased out by security. Once a retooled video of the events circulated on YouTube (edited to seem much longer than the actual performance), the state was riled into action. Three members of the collective, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevitch, known as Masha, Nadya, and Katya, were arrested and charged with felony hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, an offense carrying a sentence of up to seven years. As their trial unfolded, these young women became global feminist icons, garnering the attention and support of activists and artists around the world, including Madonna, Paul McCartney, and Sting, as well as contributors to this book: Yoko Ono, Johanna Fateman, Karen Finley, Justin Vivian Bond, Eileen Myles, and JD Samson. The Internet exploded with petitions, music videos, and calls to action, and as the guilty verdict was anticipated, Pussy Riot responded with articulate, unwavering courtroom statements, calling for freedom of expression, an end to economic and gender oppression, and a separation of church and state. They were sentenced to two years in prison, and inspired a global movement. Collected here are the words that roused the world.
On February 21, 2012, five members of a Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot staged a performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. Dressed in brightly colored tights and balaclavas, they performed their “Punk Prayer” asking the Virgin Mary to drive out Russian president Vladimir Putin from the church. After just forty seconds, they were chased out by security. Once a retooled video of the events circulated on YouTube (edited to seem much longer than the actual performance), the state was riled into action. Three members of the collective, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevitch, known as Masha, Nadya, and Katya, were arrested and charged with felony hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, an offense carrying a sentence of up to seven years. As their trial unfolded, these young women became global feminist icons, garnering the attention and support of activists and artists around the world, including Madonna, Paul McCartney, and Sting, as well as contributors to this book: Yoko Ono, Johanna Fateman, Karen Finley, Justin Vivian Bond, Eileen Myles, and JD Samson. The Internet exploded with petitions, music videos, and calls to action, and as the guilty verdict was anticipated, Pussy Riot responded with articulate, unwavering courtroom statements, calling for freedom of expression, an end to economic and gender oppression, and a separation of church and state. They were sentenced to two years in prison, and inspired a global movement. Collected here are the words that roused the world.
144 pages, ebook
First published September 21, 2012
22 people are currently reading
994 people want to read
About the author
Pussy Riot
3 books19 followersPussy Riot is an anonymous Russian feminist performance art group formed in October 2011. Through a series of peaceful public performances that voiced how basic rights are under threat in Russia today, while expressing the values and principles of gender equality, democracy and freedom of expression that are contained in the Russian constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the CEDAW Convention.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 9, 2013
This short book of letters, statements, and tributes surrounding the Pussy Riot situation in Russia was originally put out as an eBook and circulated the internet. It is a quick but important read.
What is freedom? How do you know for sure that you will get access to rights you are supposed to have? How far can you take a viewpoint, an opinion, a statement? These are important questions in any country, and I've felt them lately in the country I live in, a country that used to represent freedom for a lot of other nations.
But freedom is a funny word. There is the version on paper, the one that can become a "monument" that is praised but not practiced. That is what the members of Pussy Riot experienced during their trial, and that's what we are starting to experience as the NSA infiltrates our everyday lives. (Here's a little shoutout to them, since they must need to read my book reviews just as much as everything else. I have another message for them at the end, but they'll need to read between the lines.)
One of the tactics used against Pussy Riot was an attempt by their government and their media (controlled by the government) to portray them as uneducated women who were just looking for attention. Anyone who reads their words will know better. One point of humor throughout the entire book for me is that they are being accused in the end of religious hatred of the Orthodox church. In jail they are only allowed a Bible, the Russians having forgotten what a revolutionary figure Jesus was. It was entertaining to see the Biblical references increasing in their letters and legal statements.
A few quotables follow.
From the closing statement by Mark Feygin, one of the attorneys:
"Nothing has changed since the Soviet years. People can expect humane treatment only by completely annihilating their own identities...They must make it so that everyone will see that in the face of the government they are nothing, that they're not capable of withstanding having their freedom taken from them... But suddenly, the defendants said, no, that's not how it's going to be. A human being has enough worth that she should be shown respect by the inquest, the court, and the government. We are representatives of a free society."
From Nadya's closing court statement:
"It is easy to degrade and destroy people who are open."
From Masha's closing court statement:
"Today's educational institutions teach people, from childhood, to live as automatons, and not to pose the crucial questions consistent with their age. They inculcate cruelty and intolerance of nonconformity. Beginning in childhood, we forget our freedom."
And another, same statement (I'd like to include the entire thing):
"All you can deprive me of is 'so-called' freedom. This is the only kind that exists in Russia. But nobody can take away my inner freedom... I have honesty and openness, I thirst for the truth; and these things will make all of us just a little bit more free."
What is freedom? How do you know for sure that you will get access to rights you are supposed to have? How far can you take a viewpoint, an opinion, a statement? These are important questions in any country, and I've felt them lately in the country I live in, a country that used to represent freedom for a lot of other nations.
But freedom is a funny word. There is the version on paper, the one that can become a "monument" that is praised but not practiced. That is what the members of Pussy Riot experienced during their trial, and that's what we are starting to experience as the NSA infiltrates our everyday lives. (Here's a little shoutout to them, since they must need to read my book reviews just as much as everything else. I have another message for them at the end, but they'll need to read between the lines.)
One of the tactics used against Pussy Riot was an attempt by their government and their media (controlled by the government) to portray them as uneducated women who were just looking for attention. Anyone who reads their words will know better. One point of humor throughout the entire book for me is that they are being accused in the end of religious hatred of the Orthodox church. In jail they are only allowed a Bible, the Russians having forgotten what a revolutionary figure Jesus was. It was entertaining to see the Biblical references increasing in their letters and legal statements.
A few quotables follow.
From the closing statement by Mark Feygin, one of the attorneys:
"Nothing has changed since the Soviet years. People can expect humane treatment only by completely annihilating their own identities...They must make it so that everyone will see that in the face of the government they are nothing, that they're not capable of withstanding having their freedom taken from them... But suddenly, the defendants said, no, that's not how it's going to be. A human being has enough worth that she should be shown respect by the inquest, the court, and the government. We are representatives of a free society."
From Nadya's closing court statement:
"It is easy to degrade and destroy people who are open."
From Masha's closing court statement:
"Today's educational institutions teach people, from childhood, to live as automatons, and not to pose the crucial questions consistent with their age. They inculcate cruelty and intolerance of nonconformity. Beginning in childhood, we forget our freedom."
And another, same statement (I'd like to include the entire thing):
"All you can deprive me of is 'so-called' freedom. This is the only kind that exists in Russia. But nobody can take away my inner freedom... I have honesty and openness, I thirst for the truth; and these things will make all of us just a little bit more free."
February 15, 2013
The main body of this book is a transcript of letters written while in custody by the three women, and court statements by them and their lawyers - as well as some prosecution witnesses. This part reminded me very much of the pamphlets published about English witchcraft trials - in fact, one hostile witness referred to Pussy Riot's performance as a 'witches' ritual' - but the difference here is that this book also gives voice to the accused women in this case. At the end of the book is a series of poems and prose pieces in support of Pussy Riot by American women, campaigners and artists, as this is published by New York's Feminist Press with profits going towards Pussy Riot's legal fund.
June 9, 2019
This book is a short introduction to Pussy Riot. It was published to raise funds for their legal defense and family needs. It is a compilation of songs and legal statements and supportive comments by others. If this book is the only one you can find, it will give you some sense of what they were trying to do.
However, the book Words Will Break Cement, published at a later date, gives more in-depth exposure and understanding to the women and their philosophy.
However, the book Words Will Break Cement, published at a later date, gives more in-depth exposure and understanding to the women and their philosophy.
July 30, 2013
Probably 4.5. Wonderful report of the trial of the three girls in Moscow with articulate statements both from them and their lawyers--to little avail, of course.
December 9, 2025
I read ‘Punk Prayer’ for my class on Russian literature and damn this is some powerful activism.
April 29, 2025
Le Pussy Riot sono un collettivo punk russo
Tre di loro sfidano Putin e la chiesa e rischiano di finire in galera per blasfemia per aver cantato e ballato in una chiesa la loro preghiera punk
Estratti del processo, canzoni e contributi
Tutto molto interessante per avere un' infarinatura della storia, ma, salvo rari passaggi, poco entusiasmante
Tre di loro sfidano Putin e la chiesa e rischiano di finire in galera per blasfemia per aver cantato e ballato in una chiesa la loro preghiera punk
Estratti del processo, canzoni e contributi
Tutto molto interessante per avere un' infarinatura della storia, ma, salvo rari passaggi, poco entusiasmante
October 24, 2018
Loved it and the show at summerhall!
May 12, 2024
So my aim this year is to clear out books from my TBR and this book is incredibly dated.
I think if I read this *12* years ago I would have found the letters/transcripts more moving
2012 was a simpler time 😭
(However I've been listening to pussy riot all night and their newer music slaps)
I think if I read this *12* years ago I would have found the letters/transcripts more moving
2012 was a simpler time 😭
(However I've been listening to pussy riot all night and their newer music slaps)
June 15, 2014
Excellent. This is a collection of letters, statements, song and poems written by three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot, who became world renowned after staging a protest performance in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ. The three women, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevich spent over five months in a detention center for while awaiting trial for hooliganism. The main content of this book is their court room statements, defending and explaining their actions.
Three things will surprise you about these women, (1) they are very well-read and articulate, (2) they know the Bible very well and respect true Christian practice, (3) they were convicted of crimes related to offending religious sensibilities in a country which prides itself on secular law.
Their writing will make you think about many things not least about the importance of separation if church and state, but it will also make you think about why religious authorities are more concerned about the way someone is dressed than their own ability to forgive. Didn't Jesus criticize this type of hypocrisy? It will make you think about the role of women and the risks they take when they assert a point of view, especially a dissenting point of view. Finally it will make you think about how our own media portrayed Pussy Riot. I don't remember mainstream American media portraying these women as intelligent and caring human beings, but rather labeling them as subversive hooligans. Does that mean that even in the United States women must be compliant and submissive in order to find acceptance? Or does it mean women's voice are silenced by intentional misrepresentation of their character?
A must read.
Three things will surprise you about these women, (1) they are very well-read and articulate, (2) they know the Bible very well and respect true Christian practice, (3) they were convicted of crimes related to offending religious sensibilities in a country which prides itself on secular law.
Their writing will make you think about many things not least about the importance of separation if church and state, but it will also make you think about why religious authorities are more concerned about the way someone is dressed than their own ability to forgive. Didn't Jesus criticize this type of hypocrisy? It will make you think about the role of women and the risks they take when they assert a point of view, especially a dissenting point of view. Finally it will make you think about how our own media portrayed Pussy Riot. I don't remember mainstream American media portraying these women as intelligent and caring human beings, but rather labeling them as subversive hooligans. Does that mean that even in the United States women must be compliant and submissive in order to find acceptance? Or does it mean women's voice are silenced by intentional misrepresentation of their character?
A must read.
September 6, 2017
This was really easy to read and totally enlightening. Masha, Nadya, and Katya are stunningly articulate women. Their letters from prison and statements in court were forthright, well-worded, and hilariously ironic.
The extracts from court were the most shocking, however. The fabrication from witnesses, the use of religious feeling as proof of a crime and the blatant bias of the judge. Pussy Riot's defence attorneys, however, all three of them, gave incredible closing statements. It was like reading a movie script - to think lawyers could speak so harshly and condemn the court seemed like a work of fiction. But obviously, it's not.
A well put together book. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants the highlights of their trial neatly, concisely and clearly presented. It's a short book.
The extracts from court were the most shocking, however. The fabrication from witnesses, the use of religious feeling as proof of a crime and the blatant bias of the judge. Pussy Riot's defence attorneys, however, all three of them, gave incredible closing statements. It was like reading a movie script - to think lawyers could speak so harshly and condemn the court seemed like a work of fiction. But obviously, it's not.
A well put together book. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants the highlights of their trial neatly, concisely and clearly presented. It's a short book.
May 22, 2016
Belki de hukuk terimlerinin fazlaligindan ve bu terimlerin yavanligindan olsa gerek kitaba kendimi oyle cok kaptiramadim. Ancak Rusya'nin gunumuzdeki politik cikmazini, sekulerligin onemini ve Ortodoks kilisesinin Rus halki uzerindeki etkisini anlamak ve Putin'i bir de kadinlarin gozuyle gormek icin okunmali derim.
June 17, 2014
Composed of transcripts and letters from the defense team and members of the band this short book gives insight into the Putin regime from his opponents and reminds us all that art is an effective means of protest.
September 6, 2017
[gennaio 2013]
no no... sono d'accordo. Ma come libro da leggere...
no no... sono d'accordo. Ma come libro da leggere...
February 4, 2018
next level feminism
January 25, 2025
"Saya berpikir bahwa kebenaran religius tidak boleh statis, bahwa penting untuk memahami berbagai contoh dan jalan perkembangan spiritual. Untuk membentuk diri sendiri, perlu untuk mengalami hal-hal ini [...] untuk berkembang sebagai pribadi. Kebenaran agama adalah sebuah proses dan bukan produk jadi yang bisa didorong ke mana saja dan kapan saja."
-Masha Alyokhina
Buku ini adalah rekaman sejarah yang menyeluruh tentang perlawanan berani yang dilakukan oleh Pussy Riot, Masha, Nadya, dan Katya; melalui aksi protes mereka di Katedral Kristus Sang Juru Selamat pada 21 Februari 2012. Protes tersebut membawa mereka pada penahanan dan serangkaian tuduhan yang mengguncang dunia, terutama karena keberpihakan gereja kepada kekuasaan yang dianggap tidak adil.
Melalui buku ini, pembaca diajak menelusuri berbagai sisi dari peristiwa tersebut. Tidak hanya kumpulan tuduhan dan pernyataan saksi di pengadilan, buku ini juga menyertakan puisi, surat-surat dari pendukung mereka (termasuk dari sosok seperti Yoko Ono), serta refleksi pribadi dari Masha, Nadya, dan Katya. Buku ini tidak hanya memberikan gambaran tentang perjuangan mereka melawan ketidakadilan, tetapi juga memotret gairah mereka pada kebebasan, keadilan, dan toleransi antaragama.
Salah satu kelebihan utama buku ini adalah terjemahannya yang ciamik dan menyeluruh. Penerbit indie yang menerbitkan buku ini berhasil menghadirkan karya yang tidak hanya informatif, tetapi juga emosional, memungkinkan pembaca untuk lebih memahami kompleksitas perjuangan Pussy Riot.
Meskipun saya sebelumnya hanya mengenal Pussy Riot sebagai simbol feminisme, membaca buku ini mengungkap sisi lain dari mereka. Keberanian mereka untuk melawan otoritas yang menindas, sembari tetap memegang nilai-nilai religius, sungguh menginspirasi. Kini, mereka bukan lagi sekadar nama bagi saya. Mereka adalah legenda.
-Masha Alyokhina
Buku ini adalah rekaman sejarah yang menyeluruh tentang perlawanan berani yang dilakukan oleh Pussy Riot, Masha, Nadya, dan Katya; melalui aksi protes mereka di Katedral Kristus Sang Juru Selamat pada 21 Februari 2012. Protes tersebut membawa mereka pada penahanan dan serangkaian tuduhan yang mengguncang dunia, terutama karena keberpihakan gereja kepada kekuasaan yang dianggap tidak adil.
Melalui buku ini, pembaca diajak menelusuri berbagai sisi dari peristiwa tersebut. Tidak hanya kumpulan tuduhan dan pernyataan saksi di pengadilan, buku ini juga menyertakan puisi, surat-surat dari pendukung mereka (termasuk dari sosok seperti Yoko Ono), serta refleksi pribadi dari Masha, Nadya, dan Katya. Buku ini tidak hanya memberikan gambaran tentang perjuangan mereka melawan ketidakadilan, tetapi juga memotret gairah mereka pada kebebasan, keadilan, dan toleransi antaragama.
Salah satu kelebihan utama buku ini adalah terjemahannya yang ciamik dan menyeluruh. Penerbit indie yang menerbitkan buku ini berhasil menghadirkan karya yang tidak hanya informatif, tetapi juga emosional, memungkinkan pembaca untuk lebih memahami kompleksitas perjuangan Pussy Riot.
Meskipun saya sebelumnya hanya mengenal Pussy Riot sebagai simbol feminisme, membaca buku ini mengungkap sisi lain dari mereka. Keberanian mereka untuk melawan otoritas yang menindas, sembari tetap memegang nilai-nilai religius, sungguh menginspirasi. Kini, mereka bukan lagi sekadar nama bagi saya. Mereka adalah legenda.
September 19, 2020
Este libro llevaba esperándome un año y no sé por qué no lo había leído antes. A grandes rasgos, es la recopilación del juicio de tres integrantes de Pussy Riot –grupo punk y colectivo feminista–: Katia, Nadia y Masha. Efectuado tras la performance llevada acabo en la Catedral de Cristo Salvador en Moscú como protesta por la reelección de Putin.
Nadia, Masha y Katia, fueron llevadas a prisión por rezar en el altar que solo está destinado al patriarca y a los líderes políticos que tengan su aprobación. Durante todo el juicio, no se ve claro el motivo de la demanda, y reluce que se enjuicia en mensaje político y no las faltas a la moral que les son imputadas. El discurso de las Pussy Riot critica el apoyo que, públicamente, daba el patriarca Cirilo a Putin. Además de utilizar el púlpito para persuadir a los feligreses de que éste era el candidato que Dios quería para Rusia.
Lo que más me impresionó de las declaraciones de Nadia, Masha y Katia fue la lucidez que tuvieron para manifestar sus alegatos. Sin embargo, no fue la claridad en sus ideas políticas la que me sorprendió, sino la habilidad con la que logran empatar la disidencia política con la práctica religiosa.
Nadia, Masha y Katia, fueron llevadas a prisión por rezar en el altar que solo está destinado al patriarca y a los líderes políticos que tengan su aprobación. Durante todo el juicio, no se ve claro el motivo de la demanda, y reluce que se enjuicia en mensaje político y no las faltas a la moral que les son imputadas. El discurso de las Pussy Riot critica el apoyo que, públicamente, daba el patriarca Cirilo a Putin. Además de utilizar el púlpito para persuadir a los feligreses de que éste era el candidato que Dios quería para Rusia.
Lo que más me impresionó de las declaraciones de Nadia, Masha y Katia fue la lucidez que tuvieron para manifestar sus alegatos. Sin embargo, no fue la claridad en sus ideas políticas la que me sorprendió, sino la habilidad con la que logran empatar la disidencia política con la práctica religiosa.
December 7, 2018
Pero desde el momento de nuestro arresto hemos dejado de llorar. Hemos perdido la capacidad de llorar. En nuestros conciertos de punk gritábamos desesperadamente. Dentro de nuestras posibilidades, clamábamos contra la ilegitimidad de las autoridades, de los organismos que nos gobiernan. Pero ahora nos han privado de nuestra voz. Nos la quitaron el 3 de marzo de 2012, cuando nos arrestaron.
July 2, 2025
El libro, es un resumen del proceso del colectivo cuando las encarcelaron.
Lo que se me hizo muy interesante fueron las cartas de distintxs artistas que abogaron por las Pussy Riot.
La poesía que se encuentra dentro del libro es muuuuy anarca (me encanta).
Pero también es muy reconfortante leer las críticas al sistema de Putin.
Me gustó esta lectura
Lo que se me hizo muy interesante fueron las cartas de distintxs artistas que abogaron por las Pussy Riot.
La poesía que se encuentra dentro del libro es muuuuy anarca (me encanta).
Pero también es muy reconfortante leer las críticas al sistema de Putin.
Me gustó esta lectura
August 24, 2017
More of a companion piece after viewing the film. Courtroom statements from the women and tributes by others.
April 5, 2018
4.5 stars.
August 22, 2019
The poetry and letters to Pussy Riot were interesting. The court transcripts were a bit slow, but all in all an interesting collection.
February 22, 2021
Un libro interesantísimo, contestatario y punk.
March 13, 2021
Russia's greatest rock band ever!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2021
RESEÑA COMPLETA EN MI BLOG: https://lavidadeungamerprincipiante.b...
September 12, 2023
Great book! Open up my knowledge about many things: naivete yet bravery of Pussy Riot, and the rotten government situation (that might also happen in other countries).
December 27, 2023
Interesante recolección de entrevistas, cartas y fragmentos del juicio.
February 6, 2025
Me aburrió un poco pero es interesante explica toda la movida de cómo cayó presa y todo bardo de estar presa en Rusia. Si te interesa el tema está bueno pero como literatura en medio embole.
March 9, 2017
Learning more about this Feminist collective from Russia is probably essential reading now for Americans. After hearing many here pronouncing Putin as a "strong leader" and the "right person for Russia", it only makes sense to study some of the dissidents who have been jailed and journalists who have been murdered (er passed away of various plutonium-related illnesses and other newer euphemisms for state sanction euthanasia. This small collection of letters, testimony, and song lyrics/poetry is a fitting place to start. Trumped up charges that basically amount to the "crime" of "blasphemy" against the only legal religion now allowed in Russia by Putin. A farce of a judiciary that violates principals of the universal human rights doctrine, enforced by an inhumane penal system all combine to paint a picture of what could be a similar blueprint for a new world order of nationalism and xenophobia whose spread is probably centered around just a handful of actors. Identifying these actors probably starts by seeing their script played out in the lives of everyday people as this book shows.
February 10, 2017
Sehr beeindruckende und schockierende Zusammenstellung von kraftvollen, kühnen, sinnlichen Gedichten und Auszügen aus den Verteidigungsschriften von Pussy Riot, die deutlich machen, was für eine himmelschreiende Ungerechtigkeit diesen drei friedlichen Aktivistinnen widerfährt. Besonders beeindruckend ist, wie tief religiös Nadja, Mascha und Katja tatsächlich sind und wie ihr eigentlich respektvoller Protest tief verwurzelte Probleme der russischen Gesellschaft ebenso wie Putins gnadenloses Vorgehen gegenüber Regimekritikerinnen offenbart.
Die deutsche Übersetzung ist durchwachsen. Grundsätzlich sehr gut ist sie stellenweise irritierend schlecht. Statt die englische Übersetzung ins Deutsche zu übertragen, hätte man besser das russische Original als Ausgangsform nehmen sollen.
Die deutsche Übersetzung ist durchwachsen. Grundsätzlich sehr gut ist sie stellenweise irritierend schlecht. Statt die englische Übersetzung ins Deutsche zu übertragen, hätte man besser das russische Original als Ausgangsform nehmen sollen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews