Pussy Riot receives prestigious Woody Guthrie Prize
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Musical group Pussy Riot visited Tulsa to receive the prestigious Woody Guthrie Prize on Saturday.
The nine previous winners are prominent musicians at the intersection of music and social justice. Pussy Riot, who won the 10th annual award, joined the likes of Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, and Chuck D of Public Enemy.
The Russian punk group and performance art collective earned international fame for protesting against Russian President Vladimir Putin. It became the first high-profile victim of the country’s authoritarian crackdowns in 2012. Three members spent two years in prison for their protests.
In between trips to the U.S. for shows and activism, its members have been beaten by Russian police and spent even more time behind bars. On Saturday, co-founder Masha Alyokhina joined NewsChannel 8 for what she said was her first American sitdown interview in nine years.
“There’s really no better choice this year than Pussy Riot,” said Woody Guthrie Center Director Caty Shaw.
Woody Guthrie had the famous sticker on his guitar that read, TThis Machine Kills Fascists". Alyokhina agrees that seems very Pussy Riot.
“Yes, and it’s kind of so cool that this is such a simple statement, and it went through time, and now we can understand it like we’ve heard it all our lives,” she said. “I think it’s very important to unite at the international level, and music is one of the most powerful methods.”
“I think once you get to a point where you’re not afraid anymore, then your words have more power,” Shaw added.
Why does Alyokhina continue to protest despite the continuous ramifications?
“Right now, there are so many people – in Russia as well – making such heroic gestures,” she said. “And, of course, the last year showed us an example of courage, and this is Ukraine and how people are fighting for their country.”
Alyokhina said she’s still wanted by the Russian government. She said if she went back to Russia, she’d be sentenced to 10 or more years in prison. However, she said she isn’t worried. In fact, she said it’s funny how much Putin cares about what she does.
Does she consider herself a Russian patriot?
“I want my country to be free,” Alyokhina said. “So, in this case, I am a patriot, of course.”
What is it about punk and performance art that is best-suited to deliver that message?
“I cannot say that we chose punk,” Alyokhina said. “It’s maybe the opposite, like punk chose us or something like that. There are so many things that you see which make you want to scream, especially in our country, so we started to scream.”
“The Woody Guthrie Prize is about artists who often have to struggle to get their word out,” Nora Guthrie, Woody’s daughter, told the crowd at a packed Cain’s Ballroom prior to Pussy Riot receiving the award.
“He stayed at home with the kids while his wife went out and worked, and that was rare at the time,” Shaw said. “I think he definitely would’ve been a feminist.”
So what does Alyokhina think would be the best thing Russia could do to advance the feminist cause?
“How Putin can help feminism?” she asked in return. “Shoot himself.”
