yuri shevchuk

Leningrad’s ‘Khimki Forest’ Song

27 Sep 2010

2 Comments

[Прочитать статью на русском языке здесь.] Two days ago, the rock group “Leningrad,” led by front-man Sergei Shnurov, released a music video on YouTube titled “Химкинский лес” (Khimki Forest). (It currently has more than 70,000 views.) The song is an obvious satire of liberal-leaning musicians prone to activist art. It is most obviously aimed at [...]
By: Kevin Rothrock Category: Personal Observations, Russian Politics Tags: , , , , , , ,

Vladimir Putin the Taxi Driver

31 Aug 2010

44 Comments

[Прочитать статью на русском языке здесь.] “Bashed over the head with a truncheon.” “A clubbing on their skulls.” “Beaten around the head with truncheons.” “A whack on the bonce.” “A club on your noggin.” “Hit in the head by a bludgeon.” “A whack on the nut.” These are just some of the ways that English [...]
By: Kevin Rothrock Category: Russian Politics, U.S.-Russian Relations Tags: , , , , , ,

The Putin-Shevchuk Commentary Roundup

1 Jun 2010

7 Comments

As expected, figures in the Russian liberal community reacted harshly to Vladimir Putin’s comments in an exchange with Yuri Shevchuk last Saturday. Also unsurprising, journalists unfriendly to the opposition responded as they do by defending the actions of the authorities and questioning the motives of the liberals. All in all, it was another day in [...]

By: A Good Treaty Category: Russian Politics Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

"Excuse me, but what's your name?" (The Full Translation of the Putin-Shevchuk Showdown)

30 May 2010

23 Comments

Yesterday, Vladimir Putin met with the participants and organizers of charity event for sick children. The event included various famous members of the Russian artist and intellectual community. The most animated guest at the table was Yuri Shevchuk, lead singer of the rock band DDT and well-known liberal activist. Just a few months ago, Shevchuk [...]

By: A Good Treaty Category: Russian Politics Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Sex, Drugs, & Politics

15 Mar 2010

1 Comment

The Season of Discontent keeps chugging along in Russia this spring. Kaliningrad has attracted every political gadfly and climber around, and next Saturday’s demonstration promises to be the mother of all theatre. Who will win the rallying competition: the Kremlin stooges (like Zhirinovsky), dispatched to rouse the counter-protesting rabble? Or the Muscovite liberal imports, who [...]

By: A Good Treaty Category: Russian Politics Tags: , , , , , , , ,