June 05, 2023

Blowing Out Candles for Navalny


Blowing Out Candles for Navalny
A protester with a sign reading "Freedom to Alexey Navalny" being detained by police. Srbija Evropa, Twitter.

In a rare public protest in Russia, demonstrators gathered across Russia and other parts of the world to celebrate activist Alexey Navalny's 47th birthday and to demand the release of all political prisoners. In 2022, Navalny was sentenced to nine years in prison.

In Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square, protesters arrived with birthday balloons, wearing T-shirts that read "Take Care of Russia" and SHIZO – the abbreviation for solitary confinement in Russia. In St. Petersburg, a runner posed with a medal and a jersey, wishing the enjailed activist a happy birthday. Walls across the country were spraypainted with "Freedom to Navalny."

Police quickly arrested protesters, and over 100 persons were detained, half of them in Moscow.

Celebrations for Navalny's 47th birthday were also held outside Russia – calling for the release of political prisoners and an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine – in Tbilisi (Georgia), Erevan (Armenia), and Vilnius (Lithuania), as well as Sydney (Australia), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and the US.

The day before the demonstrations, Navalny thanked his supporters on Telegram and reflected on his experience in solitary confinement: "Any job has an unpleasant part, right? Now I'm living through a bad part of my favorite job."

You Might Also Like

A Cold Wind Blowing?
  • September 01, 2012

A Cold Wind Blowing?

On the recent spate of screw-tightening measures by the Russian government.
Navalny's Near Miss
  • November 01, 2013

Navalny's Near Miss

An insider's account of the Navalny campaign for Moscow mayor.
Dance Floor Dissent
  • May 26, 2023

Dance Floor Dissent

A video of people singing pro-Ukraine lyrics prompted government intervention.
Flagpole Ripper
  • April 13, 2023

Flagpole Ripper

A man was arrested for tearing down a Russian flag at a police department.
A Victory for Navalny
  • March 16, 2023

A Victory for Navalny

The Navalny film won the Oscar for Best Documentary at the 95th Academy Awards.
The Nature of Dissent
  • October 24, 2012

The Nature of Dissent

How should we understand current political dissent in Russia? Russian Life publisher Paul Richardson met with long-time Soviet/Russian political dissident Alexander Skobov to get his views on what is going on in Russia and where things are headed.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Steppe
July 15, 2022

Steppe

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955