Professors Sanborn (History) and Ceballos (REES) teach class with Russian activist/artist Nadia Tolokonnikova of ‘Pussy Riot’

On Sept. 26, 2019, REES students went to Swarthmore College in Philadelphia, PA, to hear a talk and performance titled “Living and Creating through Punk: Nadia Tolokonnikova on her art and activism.” Tolokonnikova’s visit was sponsored by the Cooper Series under the heading of “Activism Under Totalitarianism: A Lecture and Performance Series.” Nadia addressed her prison advocacy and activist values during the talk, fielding questions from students in the audience about what keeps her going and how she handles media coverage. Her performance featured old classics – such as the historic Punk Prayer – as well as newer songs written in both Russian and English.