Russian protest group Pussy Riot made an appearance at the Woody Guthrie Center’s 10th Anniversary on Saturday (May 6) evening in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The punk-rock group comprised of Maria “Masha” Alyokhina, Nadya Tolokonnikova, Olga Borisova, and Olga Borisova, received the prestigious Woody Guthrie Prize at Cain’s Ballroom.
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Wood’s daughter Nora Guthrie, presented the award. Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova accepted on behalf of the feminist group. The Woody Guthrie Prize is presented to musicians who exemplify “Woody Guthrie’s spirit,” who use their talent to advocate for the voiceless and less fortunate through music, film, literature, and dance. According to a press release, the organization aims to give the accolade to an individual or group that pushes for positive social change.
The performance art collective is based in Moscow, Russia. The politically charged group members have been imprisoned multiple times in Russia for speaking out on human rights issues in their country.
Previous award recipients include – Joan Baez, Chuck D, Kris Kristofferson, Norman Lear, John Mellencamp, Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, and Mavis Staples.
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“As artists who, like Woody Guthrie, have the courage of their convictions, there are no contemporary artists more worthy of this recognition than Pussy Riot,” said Cady Shaw, director of the Woody Guthrie Center. “They have paid a very personal price for speaking their minds on the most serious issues of our time, yet they continue to fight for justice and freedom.”
The special affair concluded with their first-ever U.S. performance of Riot Days. The show featured their progressive music alongside documentary footage with political commentary based on Alyokhina’s memoir. Alexander Cheparukhin, Pussy Riot’s manager and creative producer of Riot Days, declared that the piece has been performed in several other countries.
“It feels fitting to be awarded in the spirit of Woody, I think he would love Pussy Riot’s anti-fascist message,” said Tolokonnikova, according to Variety. “We don’t really do folk, but we don’t really do punk either, we simply scream and protest as loud as we can, and hope we can show others they can do the same. Like Woody said, any fool can make something complicated, our message is clear and simple. Anyone can be Pussy Riot. Riot. Riot. Resist. Oh, and a quick reminder to Vladimir Putin and anyone who supports his Z regime…All you fascists are bound to lose.”
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Most recently, Pussy Riot joined forces with Trippy Labs and PleaserDAO to create UkraineDAO, which helps raise money for Ukraine to defend itself from Russian aggression. The NFT of the Ukraine flag has made approximately $7.1 million.
All proceeds from the gala will benefit the Woody Guthrie Center, a non-profit that honors the life and legacy of the folk legend through education.
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