Pet Shop Boys: Ode to Nawalny and the dream of freedom in Russia

Pet Shop Boys: Ode to Nawalny and the dream of freedom in Russia

The British Popduo Pet Shop Boys published a tribute to Alexej Nawalny, the late Kremlin critic, with a new dance mix. This thrilling version of the song is part of a trio of resixed track that celebrate the courage and the unbroken spirit of Nawalny. The mix includes quotes from Nawalny's prison letters and his autobiography "Patriot". Neil Tennant, the singer of the Pet Shop Boys, refers to the vision of a Russia that has freed itself from Vladimir Putin's corruption and authoritarianism. Nawalny, who is considered the best -known opposition to Putin, died in a criminal camp in Russia in 2024, which makes the context of this musical homage more profound. [SPIEGEL] reports of the importance of this song at a time when the social and political conditions in Russia are tense.

The relationship of the Pet Shop Boys to Russia is deeply rooted and extends back to the 1990s. In a contribution to the Novaya Gazeta, which was also published in the Guardian, Neil Tennant commented on his childhood interest in Russian history and the role of art in politically difficult times. He addresses the fates of prominent composers such as Schostakovich and Prokofiev, who found a voice in repressive regimens through their works. In the songs "My October Symphony" and "Kaputnik" there are allusions to Russian culture and past, which make it clear how long the Pet Shop Boys have been closely connected to the country. [Berliner Zeitung] emphasizes that tennant outlines two Russia: the Russia of the 1990s, which experienced a touch of freedom, and today's authoritarian regime under Putin.

reflection and criticism

In his article, Tennant reflects on the large transformation of Russia, which was shaped by western interventions. He remembers difficult times of poverty after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the social faults that shaped his visits to Moscow. According to Tennant, the country suffered from extreme poverty in the 1990s, caused by economic "shock therapies", which led to massive privatization and the formation of an oligarchy. The dramatic deterioration in living conditions, especially in St. Petersburg, is inextricably linked to the fate of people who have to survive in a system that is often perceived as brutal. [The Left Berlin] points out how tennant criticizes today's conditions for LGBTQ+activists in Russia, which are strongly contrast to the supposed freedom in the 1990s.