Monday, October 01, 2007

Anna Politkovskaya Events. Her legacy is not fading.



Sunday the 7th of Oct is Vladimir Putin's birthday. This date will be remembered forever because that's when the respected journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered, in 2006.

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I still remember the agony when hearing about her assasination. It was a beautiful Saturday in Frankfurt. Had just discussed about her in a short, informal meeting at the Book Fair. Later sitting alone by Zeil, the busiest shopping street, waiting for a Finnish Newsagency to call and ask for a comment. Calling Mr HP (who was there in Frankfurt but not with me at the shopping inferno) who was in tears on the phone. Trying to think about something to say to the journos. Watching CNN with pictures of Anna's murderer, thinking out loud "the guy with the cap does not look like a Chechen at all". Looking forward to coming home. Calling miss Funnybunny, who saw "auntie Anna" on TV many times during the following days. Or weeks.

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In several countries there will be anniversary events taking place on Sunday. In Helsinki, we will gather at Koko-teatteri, Unioninkatu 45, at 6 pm. The program on stage is more artistic than political (music, poetry, prose), but I'm quite sure political issues will be discussed afterwards at the bar of Koko, by several active people; Finnish friends and readers of Anna's, and other people interested in Russian issues.

About Russian anniversary events I will report more soon once I get the more detailed info.

What I do know for sure is that both in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod Anna's legacy will be honoured by beautiful, peaceful and respectful events.

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Anna Politkovskaya at the Finnish Bookstore, Suomalainen kirjakauppa, in Helsinki 2003.


"Minä kirjoitan mitä näen."
TAITEELLINEN ILTA ANNA POLITKOVSKAJALLE


sunnuntaina 7.10. kello 18 KOKO-teatterissa, os. Unioninkatu 45 (Pitkänsillan lähellä).
Liput viisi euroa.

Ohjelmassa musiikkia, runoja ja tietysti Politkovskajan tekstejä. Esiintyjinä nuoria suomalaisia muusikoita, Koko- ja Klockrike-teattereiden väkeä ja ihmisoikeusaktivisteja. Kerromme myös tuoreimmat terveiset ihmisoikeusaktivisteilta ja Annan ystäviltä Venäjältä. Sielläkin muistetaan Annaa samaan aikaan.

Illanvietto kestää vähän alle puolitoista tuntia. Tilaisuuden järjestää Suomen PEN.
Tervetuloa!

LIPPUVARAUKSET KOKO-teatteriin:
GSM 050 321 9919, p. (09) 278 4820
toimisto@kokoteatteri.fi

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”Jag skriver det jag ser”
MINNESKVÄLL FÖR ANNA POLITKOVSKAJA


söndagen den 7.10 klockan 18 på KOKO-teatteri, Unionsgatan 45 (nära Långa bron). Biljetter fem euro.

På programmet står musik, dikter och naturligtvis Politkovskajas egna texter. De framförs av unga finländska musiker, skådespelare från Kokoteatteri och Klockriketeatern samt människorättsaktivister. Vi får också hälsningar av människorättsaktivister och Annas vänner i Ryssland. Också i Ryssland hedrar man Annas minne samtidigt som vi gör det.

Evenemanget räcker knappt en och en halv timme. Arrangör är Finlands PEN.

Välkommen!

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