The Birth of Pussy Riot: Six Early SongsMain MenuIntroductionAbout These Sources“Kill the Sexist” (2011)“Free the Cobblestones” (2011)“Kropotkin-Vodka” (2011)“Death to Prison, Freedom to Protest” (2011)“Putin’s Pissed Himself” (2012)“Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Chase Putin Away” (2012)SupplementsAbout This EditionBibliographyCredits and AcknowledgementsAbout SourceLabJamie Hendrickson58134f757f2bbc39a2ba13e95075be4a3d374f84
a pakhan
12022-06-01T09:09:59+00:00Alex Drydenbb5ccf4591af9a1e2b579ecc283a321fc7a7d87d1621plain2022-06-01T09:09:59+00:00Alex Drydenbb5ccf4591af9a1e2b579ecc283a321fc7a7d87dPakhan is slang for a big-shot, father-like leader such as a crime boss or the head of a gang. Although the term came into use as early as the mid-1920s, its meaning had evolved by the 1960s to refer specifically to Stalin or more recently to any similar figure. Pussy Riot is likely using the term here as a combination of all these meanings, stating that the last thing Russia needs is another leader with a cult of personality formed around being the "father of the country."
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12022-06-01T09:09:59+00:00Blog Post for “Death to Prison, Freedom to Protest”2gallery2022-06-13T10:21:01+00:00“In the song, which we performed on the rooftop of the special detention center, Pussy Riot presented its understanding of a protest. First of all, it doesn’t have to have any fucking leaders. These days, many expect the arrival of a new leader, a tsar’-batiushka, who will resolve all their problems for them. The arrival of a beloved new pakhan is fraught with the continuation of the era of authoritarianism in our country. Recent events, including December 10, show that people are ready to make decisions on their own and they no longer need a father-like leader. We believe this to be an important shift in Russia’s political history.
Secondly, we are urging people to stick to the tactics of the peaceful seizure of streets and squares, including the cops and police assault rifles that guard them. We, as citizens, are always able, without asking permission from Putin’s bandformirovaniia, to hold a non-violent meeting in a square or a march on the street. Let’s use this opportunity more often!
Thirdly, it is very important not to forget about the LGBT and feminist communities that are fighting together against the current political regime in Russia.”1Back to top
