Pussy Riot

Raw, uncompromising punk rock, fiercely feminist activism, and iconic guerrilla performances wearing neon balaclavas define the global impact of Russian art and music collective Pussy Riot. Formed in Moscow in 2011, the fluid, non-hierarchical group transformed radical street performance into an internationally recognized symbol of anti-authoritarian protest and free speech. After members including Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina were arrested and imprisoned in 2012 following a high-profile cathedral protest, the collective garnered unprecedented support from global cultural figures and human rights groups. Navigating 2026, Pussy Riot continues to tour globally, deploying music, visual art, and activism to challenge political oppression and LGBTQ+ injustice.