As of: January 26, 2024, 3:45 p.m
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The gallery of winners of the Dachau Prize for Civil Courage was expanded on Thursday.
Diana Burkot Olga Borisova, Marija “Masha” Alyokhina and Taso Pletner (from left) from “Pussy Riot” with Mayor Florian Hartmann (left) lined up below.
© Habschied
“It is a great honor for us to receive this award.”
The four artists from the government and church-critical feminist group “Pussy Riot” from Russia thanked the city of Dachau for the Civil Courage Prize.
Dachau - Marija "Masha" Alyokhina, Olga Borisova, Diana Burkot and Taso Pletner are members of the Russian band "Pussy Riot", which has repeatedly publicly protested against the Russian government, President Vladimir Putin and the church since 2011.
The artists are being persecuted by the state because of their “illegal” actions.
Some members had to endure several years in prison camps and imprisonment.
A prize for the “fire of courage”
It is now not possible for them – under the current conditions – to return to Russia.
They are on an “anti-war tour” around the world, most recently in the USA.
And collect donations for, among other things, a children's hospital in Ukraine.
The fact that they are protesting against this war is one more reason why they are “undesirable” in their homeland.
The Dachau Prize for Civil Courage has been awarded every two years since 2005 and is endowed with 5,000 euros.
The aim is to honor people “who work with courage, imagination and commitment for the rights of the persecuted and discriminated against minorities,” said Dachau Mayor Florian Hartmann at the award ceremony on Thursday evening in the town hall.
“Pussy Riot,” said the mayor, “inspire people with their commitment, are role models for us, the fire of their courage is contagious.
I can therefore imagine no one who, under the current circumstances in Russia and the world, deserves an award for moral courage more than 'Pussy Riot'!”
The City of Dachau’s Civil Courage Award goes to “Pussy Riot”
The four women, who are in Dachau for the second time, visited the concentration camp memorial before the ceremony.
“We were very impressed by that,” they said on Thursday.
They also hope for this commitment to “never again” for their country.
And: “You have to fight for your rights at all times and always.
We truly need such accountability!”