INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
in theoretical chemistry, I worked at a university and held two postdoc positions, but when protests broke out in Belarus [in 2020] I joined
protests in support of Alexei Navalny following his return [to Russia from Germany] where he was treated for poisoning with chemical weapons
more, especially with the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine
It was clear to me that this was an imperial war, a war against Ukrainian identity
Ukrainians are fighting for the right to be Ukrainian, for the right not to be Russian, for the right to speak their own language
you also head the independent news outlet Komi Daily
diaspora organization in the Netherlands, which was formed in the wake of the 2021 protests in support of Navalny
It grew rapidly with the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and continues its work, but I left the board in 2023.The topic of Komi
has always been dear to me
made a speech in the Komi language.Everything unfolded quite naturally, and at some point, my work with Komi Daily became my main focus.I
also joined Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAR) in 2022 because feminist optics resonate with me
Daily, less than a year ago when he still headed the publication, so I just have to ask how was the torch of leadership transferred to
been paid her salary for quite a long time
I believe it's incredibly important to talk about Komi identity
identity is terrorism in any way
[terrorist], but it's clear that even if we shut down this organization and start a new one, it's only a matter of time before we end up on
This is just how repressions and the crackdown on freedom of speech in Russia work.You have mentioned that you are studying things related
key issue is Indigenous rights, the right of Indigenous peoples to manage their own land and resources and be able to decide what happens on
For Komi, this [revolves around] the land, the forests and the sustainable use of natural resources
it?I believe that it is necessary to engage with the liberal opposition and communicate our perspective to them, which is what I try to do
I attend forums, meetings and conferences
I talk to people and explain the importance of including Indigenous perspectives.The mainstream liberal opposition is still very
That alone will not make my republic free
It will not allow the people in Komi to live well, develop their human potential, take care of the environment, preserve their identity, or
Everyone still seems to believe that all problems can be solved in Moscow
But if we look at the numbers, fewer people live in Moscow and St
Petersburg combined than in the rest of Russia
The fact that we are more spread out does not make us any less important
We will have to fight for our rights in whatever political landscape emerges
And in that scenario, the current representatives of the liberal opposition may not be the worst people we will have to deal with.
