Olga Romanova on the Political Basis of the Serebrennikov Case

RFR/RL on Sept. 7 published a big interview with human rights and prison activist Olga Romanova. She is one of the most astute observers of so-called "Russian justice." (Those are my damning quotation marks.) Among many other fascinating comments, Olga had this to say about the origins of the current attack on Kirill Serebrennikov. Naturally, this point of view needs some research, but I do believe she has put her finger on a hot spot. Kapkov's work (it was Kapkov who appointed Serebrennikov to run Gogol Center) was always controversial. Cultural conservatives were furious; people of culture were generally thrilled. There were many attempts to label the appointment of Serebrennikov a political act. It didn't always stick, but the notion has hung around. When Kapkov resigned as Moscow Culture Minister a year or two later, we almost immediately began seeing similar attacks on others in various cities. Romanova's words are worth paying attention to. The above photo of Sergei Kapkov is from Svoboda.org.

"I believe that the Serebrennikov case is not a case about the international star Kirill Semenovich Serebrennikov. This is a case where, for example, Tikhon Shevkunov, a well-known priest and an influential person, is involved (Shevkunov is known as 'Vladimir Putin's confessor.' - EDITOR). There are people here on opposite sides, people associated with Russian culture. And we are talking about matters that took place in 2013-14, when culture was headed by Sergei Kapkov. Kapkov is very popular, is political and is largely connected with Roman Abramovich, and with what is known as 'The Family,' or 'Tanya-Valya' (the circle of first Russian President Boris Yeltsin. - EDITOR). Therefore, I think this is largely a pre-election attack, as if to say, 'we have no untouchables,' as was the case with Khodorkovsky. Now we have no untouchables among the stars of international culture either. I think this is a blow to what's called 'The Family.'"