‘To Russia With Love’ – Over 1000 Attend Human Rights Event In Berlin
On October 7, over 1000 people attended the “To Russia With Love” event held at the Philharmonie in Berlin. Initiated by violinist Gidon Kremer, the event brought together artists and human rights activists to raise awareness of the intensifying assault on human rights being carried out in Russia.
The event, which marked the seventh anniversary of the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, was opened by Nobel literature laureate Herta Müller. “Putin declared the dictatorship of law, and he is the law. For Putin, dictatorship has a positive connotation”, Müller said in her speech.
Outstanding musical performances followed, by renowned artists such as Gidon Kremer, Daniel Barenboim and Martha Argerich. Pieces performed included Giya Kanchelis “Angels of Sorrow”, dedicated to Mikhail Khodorkovsky for his 50th birthday. The event also featured readings of texts of prominent Russian activists including “What am I guilty of?” by Anna Politkovskaya, and Khodorkovsky’s closing statement to the court in his second trial.
Before the concert a panel discussion with NGO representatives explored the current state of civil society in Russia. Svetlana Gannushkina of Russian human rights NGO Memorial explained the increased difficulties caused by the repressive “Foreign Agent Law” that directly threatened NGO’s ability to carry out essential work. Peter Franck, Russia expert at the German chapter of Amnesty International, criticised the government’s legislation as decisively hampering the development of civil society in Russia. The event was supported by Amnesty International Germany, Stiftung Menschenrechte, Memorial Germany, the German-Russian Exchange, Reporters Without Borders Germany, the Lev Kopelev Forum and Osteuropa magazine.
With the combination of concert and NGO forum, the event expressed sympathy and solidarity with victims of the ongoing crackdown, including the peaceful protesters of Bolotnaya Square, arrested and facing trial for taking part in a peaceful, legal demonstration, Sergei Magnitsky, the lawyer who exposed official corruption and was killed in pretrial detention, and Mikhail Khodorkovsky, modern Russia’s longest serving political prisoner. Khodorkovsky is marking the tenth anniversary of his imprisonment later this month.
The concert can be watched online HERE.
