• Skip to Main
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Dean’s Message
    • About the Liberal Studies Core
    • About Global Liberal Studies
    • About GLS/Global Public Health
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Administration
    • Meet the LS Faculty
    • Faculty Directory
    • A&S
    • CAS
    • GSAS
    • Liberal Studies
  • Academics
    • LS Core Curriculum
    • GLS Curriculum
    • Global Liberal Studies Minor
    • Minor in Translation Studies
    • Global Core Spotlight
    • Writing Program
    • Academic Resources
    • Honors & Awards
    • Academic Integrity Guide
    • Liberal Studies Bulletin
    • A&S
    • CAS
    • GSAS
    • Liberal Studies
  • Admissions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Meet Our Students & Alumni
    • A&S
    • CAS
    • GSAS
    • Liberal Studies
  • Advising
    • Liberal Studies Core Advising
    • Global Liberal Studies Advising
    • Registration
    • Forms & Academic Policies
    • Research & Fellowships
    • Internships
    • Career Resources
    • A&S
    • CAS
    • GSAS
    • Liberal Studies
  • Global Study
    • First Year
    • Sophomore Year
    • GLS Junior Year
    • J-Term Study Away Opportunities
    • A&S
    • CAS
    • GSAS
    • Liberal Studies
  • Student Life
    • Meet Our Students & Alumni
    • Student Clubs
    • Student Council
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • First-Year Orientation
    • International Students
    • First Generation Students
    • Service
    • Leadership
    • Graduation
    • Points of Pride
    • A&S
    • CAS
    • GSAS
    • Liberal Studies
  • News & Events
    • Liberal Studies News
    • Faculty News
    • Black Lives in Global Contexts
    • LS Global Lecture Series
    • LS Student Research Colloquium
    • GLS Graduate Placement Statistics
    • A&S
    • CAS
    • GSAS
    • Liberal Studies
  • Alumni
  • Donate
  • Parents & Families
  • Contact Us
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Dean’s Message
    • About the Liberal Studies Core
    • About Global Liberal Studies
    • About GLS/Global Public Health
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Administration
    • Meet the LS Faculty
    • Faculty Directory
  • Academics
    • LS Core Curriculum
    • GLS Curriculum
    • Global Liberal Studies Minor
    • Minor in Translation Studies
    • Global Core Spotlight
    • Writing Program
    • Academic Resources
    • Honors & Awards
    • Academic Integrity Guide
    • Liberal Studies Bulletin
  • Admissions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Meet Our Students & Alumni
  • Advising
    • Liberal Studies Core Advising
    • Global Liberal Studies Advising
    • Registration
    • Forms & Academic Policies
    • Research & Fellowships
    • Internships
    • Career Resources
  • Global Study
    • First Year
    • Sophomore Year
    • GLS Junior Year
    • J-Term Study Away Opportunities
  • Student Life
    • Meet Our Students & Alumni
    • Student Clubs
    • Student Council
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
    • First-Year Orientation
    • International Students
    • First Generation Students
    • Service
    • Leadership
    • Graduation
    • Points of Pride
  • News & Events
    • Liberal Studies News
    • Faculty News
    • Black Lives in Global Contexts
    • LS Global Lecture Series
    • LS Student Research Colloquium
    • GLS Graduate Placement Statistics
  • Alumni
  • Donate
  • Parents & Families
  • Contact Us

LS GLOBAL LECTURE SERIES | April 13, 2016

Nadya Tolokonnikova

Nadya Tolokonnikova, the Russian artist, human rights activist, and founding member of feminist punk band Pussy Riot, spoke to the NYU community. The event was co-sponsored by the NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia and constituted the fourth installment of Liberal Studies’ Global Lecture Series, which hosts internationally prominent speakers at Washington Square.

In conversation with Liberal Studies professor Elayne Tobin, Nadya reflected on her first stirrings of opposition as a child—noting that her “punk feminist” identity developed by chance—and on how her activism has changed with time and circumstance. For instance, while Pussy Riot’s earliest performances pulsed with carnival-like colors and energy, more recent work is darker. “The aesthetics of Pussy Riot have evolved with the mood in Russia,” she explained.

Nadya also spoke about the nearly two years she was incarcerated after staging a symbolic protest in a Moscow church. The dire conditions she experienced in the prison camps led her to lobby for prison reform in Russia. Since her release in 2013, she and bandmate Masha Alyokhina launched a prisoners’ rights organization that has been instrumental in bringing attention to the plight of Russian prisoners. Following her conversation on stage, Nadya answered questions from the audience and spoke personally with students. The sold-out event drew students, faculty, deans, and entire classes. At one point, Nadya joked, “I am not a prophet.”

Still, she brought to the stage riveting stories and perspective on politics and human rights that cuts across global boundaries. Leaving the audience with a final thought, she reflected on her activism and that of activists before her, affirming, “If you don’t fight for your freedom all the time, somebody will take it from you.”

Co-Sponsor

NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia

Nadya Tolokonnikova

Nadya Tolokonnikova speaks about art and protest at Global Lecture Series.

Photo: Tim Tomlinson

Share this page

Arts & Science

  • Give to Arts & Science
  •  
  •  

College of Arts & Science

  • About CAS
  • Academic Programs
  • Apply to the College

Liberal Studies

  • About LS
  • Academic Programs
  • Apply to Liberal Studies

Graduate School of Arts & Science

  • About GSAS
  • Academic Programs
  • Apply to Graduate School

Get In Touch

Accessibility
© New York University. All rights reserved.