Maria Alyokhina, a member of Pussy Riot, and Eric J. Breitenbach are coming to HfG Karlsruhe for a reading of Political Girl—Life and Fate in Putin’s Russia (* Berlin Verlag, German translation by Nina Frey & Stephan Pauli).

In her recent book, Maria reflects on the years 2014–2022 in Russia — the period between her release from prison and escape from the country after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine — about love and friendship, resistance and repression, and about life under increasing political pressure.

Maria has become an important voice in global protest culture. With their Punk Prayer in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in 2012, Maria and her fellow activists warned of the dangers of Russian authoritarianism. They paid for this courageous act of non-violent protest with imprisonment. When Russia’s war against Ukraine began, Maria and her friends continued to protest. Facing another prison sentence, she fled Russia in 2022.

Eric J. Breitenbach toured with Pussy Riot in 2025. As a drummer and multimedia artist, he accompanies the reading with improvised soundscapes composed in real time. By using electronic production, sound design, and improvised music to create an atmosphere that reflects the themes and tone of the book, Eric transforms the reading into an immersive performance that combines literature, music, and activism.

The reading will be held in English and will be followed by a Q&A session. Entry is free.

Organised by the Department of Art Theory and Media Philosophy and Community Toolkit Workshop.