Serebrennikov Arrested: Day Two
Rather than pile more texts onto yesterday's post about the arrest of director Kirill Serebrennikov, I will begin a new post today that I will update throughout the day. If news keeps happening, I will pick up with a third post tomorrow. The photo of Serebrennikov above is from a fabulous photo gallery on Meduza, link below. Let me begin by saying that, as Boris Akunin predicted yesterday, Serebrennikov has been "released under house arrest" through October 19, at which time, presumably, another decision will be made.
Poet, journalist, scholar DMITRY BYKOV in an interview on Golosa so vsego mira:
"It's ridiculous to say that Putin does not know, that Putin is not informed. Of course Putin is aware of this, after all, Serebrennikov is one of the top 5 cultural figures of his generation in Russia.
In my opinion, the signal is twofold. First, I think this once again shows the West that nobody cares about its opinion here. The West demonstratively awards Serebrennikov theater awards, Russia demonstratively and publicly humiliates him. Even though his guilt is unproven and he makes no effort to run from the investigation, they took away his passport and he is jailed. This arrogant public demonstration reveals an absolutely contemptuous attitude to the law, and to an artist, and to the whole country - we're going to do whatever the hell we want to do.
The second signal, which is even more sad, is the one aimed at the creative intelligentsia to think about what its opinions are worth. The letter that was sent in defense of Serebrennikov and handed over to Putin by [actor Yevgeny] Mironov was written in a very humble, not to say slavish, manner.
It seems to me that the time of servility is over. A normal reaction to this matter would be a prolonged strike by Russian cultural figures. I think that at the beginning of the theatrical season, performances should be dedicated to Serebrennikov, or there should be refusals to perform. This could be a significant hint for the powers-that-be. But since I do not see anyone looking especially brave, I must admit that this will also be swallowed up. We're already hearing voices say that talent is no excuse and that it was not necessary to steal budget money. This is also a signal to the entire creative intelligentsia not to take a kopeck from this government. Although this cannot protect us from anything." [...]
A pithy point from MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY on Facebook:
"Accusations of fraud are not uncommon when you're on the wrong side of the FSB, but are we seeing some kind of split between Putin and the security services?
"Shortly after the initial questioning of Serebrennikov in May, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was asked about the incident by an actor at a Kremlin reception. He responded: 'Fools,' apparently referring to the investigators. This was seen by some as a sign from the Kremlin to stop the campaign against the director; instead, Russian authorities have intensified it."
Allow me to add my own comments (JOHN FREEDMAN), offered as answers to two questions from Question.ru (I submitted them in English, they were translated - quite well - into Russian).
- What is your reaction to today's arrest of Kirill Serebrennikov in Russia?
I think my reaction is best described as angry and fed up. The cultural conservatives, who hold power in Russia and have for some time, continue to wage war against diversity, against experimentation, against an approach to art and to life that posits honesty, integrity and inquisitiveness as indispensable. It is not, as the authorities call it, a case of embezzlement. Such charges are laughable and easily disproved. In fact, we have been moving toward this day for four or five years now. We have seen innumerable signs that this was coming. The authorities continue to demand "traditionalism" and loyalty; some in the artistic community fight back, but the power of authority is great, and it keeps marginalizing the efforts of some brave and independent artists. Then there is a whole other problem - this situation is extremely complex - that many in the arts community will be happy to remain silent as long as the whip misses them. The arrest of Kirill Serebrennikov is a hard and awful day.
- What can the international community do in such a situation?
Obviously there is little that the international community can do other than to make noise. It will soon be necessary to make noise. But I believe strongly that this must be done in an organized way. Obviously any voice of support for Kirill and the others who are implicated in this trumped-up case, will fall on grateful ears. But in order to actually influence the course of affairs in some way, organization will be needed. There is a good committee of activists in Russia who have been responding to this case for months now. I would expect some leads to come from them. Anyone interested in this situation - and anyone interested in art, politics, and freedom of expression must be interested - should keep an eye on what is coming out of Russia by way of Facebook (a tremendous tool in Russia) and the press. I will be following this on my Facebook page and website, but I will hardly be alone. Become a part of the community and respond when the time comes. I would expect that to be not far off.
TEATRAL-ONLINE reports that "thousands of people" came to the Basmanny Court where Kirill Serebrennikov appeared to answer to charges of embezzlement. Link here. Even if you don't read Russian, there are plenty of photos from inside and outside the courtroom.
An excellent photo gallery from inside and outside the Basmanny court yesterday, published by MEDUZA. Link here.
Actor TALGAT BATALOV on Facebook:
"It's simply disgusting and embarrassing. I hope we will see today's 'judges' in cages in courtrooms. I really hope so. Every day I will make such a wish before going to bed. And we must not be limited to one trip out to court. We need a protest from the entire community."
MARINA DAVYDOVA on Colta.ru:
"I have a lot of letters in my mail. I have no answer to the question, "What do I do now?" I have no answer. I'm afraid no one has one. But I know exactly what can not be done!
[...]
The opening of the season is right around the corner, and here is what we can not do in the near future - we can't tell about new plans, announce festival programs, present various projects, conduct some 'young director school' as if nothing has happened. The first and main item of all press conferences, all presentations, all interviews delivered by artistic directors to the press, at all theatrical 'events,' must now be the 'Kirill Serebrennikov case' - regardless of the outcome of today's trial."
Journalist and human rights activist SERGEI PARKHOMENKO in The Moscow Times:
“This is a two-act performance which has been going on in Russia for a long time.
The first act is that everyone is guilty. In Russia anyone who receives state funding is trapped, because it is impossible to comply with all the regulations, and consequently they’re hung up by several hooks.
The second act is such that is that any of these hooks can be pulled at any moment, either to exact bribes or to make a political statement.”
Link to entire article in English.
Publisher and philantropist IRINA PROKHOROVA in RBK news:
"I am prepared to raise bail so that a truly great person does not go to jail. From my point of view Serebrennikov is an outstanding director and theatrical figure. And he is - this is an indisputable fact - the pride of our nation. His project [Gogol Center] made Russia an advanced theatrical power. I can say this is a crystal-clear, honest man whose goal in life is artistic creativity."
IRINA PROKHOROVA in Teatral magazine:
"Note that audits and and searches have become synonymous. Both audits and searches involve people wearing masks with machine guns who frighten young ladies at computers. This lack of distinction says a lot. [The authorities] do not distinguish where they have come - to a theater, where cultural people sit, or to a terrible den of iniquity filled with armed criminals. This is a picture of the world we live in, and of the attitude we have to the individual. This is the worst thing. Everything else follows from this - how the investigation is conducted, what decisions are made, despite huge numbers of circumstances, including a person's reputation. This is our difficult heritage, which we can not get rid of. But it's time to get rid of it."
VIKTOR MINKOV, Artistic director of Priyut Komedianta Theater in St. Petersburg:
"This is for you - Kirill Serebrennikov. I can not be silent! When they arrest a comrade of ours - one who is talented, creative, easy-going, wise and pleasant - it is scary! Of course, it's scary that any of us who run theaters can, at any time, find ourselves in a situation where common sense and logic do not matter. We spend every day signing documents, conducting full renovations of our theaters, and as one who has overseen numerous projects and new productions, I, of course, think about this a lot. About many things! But this is my home - the Priyut Komedianta, as well as my city Petersburg and my country Russia. Just like for Kirill - his home is Gogol-Center, etc, etc. I want to shout - we are not thieves! Not thieves! We are doing our work honestly! For little money. Not comparable to other millionaires and billionaires. We do our business with a terrible bureaucracy, imperfect laws, with no motivation for rich people to support the theater. We have no other business. We have our country, our city, our theater!!! And we will continue to do business! Fairly! In a noble manner! No matter what!!! I embrace you, Kirill, and I wish you great courage."
