Dimitry Medvedev, the Russian prime minister, is certainly not a fan of Pussy Riot but he wants the punk band to be freed, saying further time in prison would be “unproductive.” He believes that suspended sentences would have been sufficient for the women and added that the “hysteria” that had accompanied the coverage of their case – which has made headlines around the world – had left him sickened (BBC News).
Continue reading Pussy Riot never stops!
The winners of the Fair Play global music video competition were announced more than a week ago. Young bands from all over the world sent in their songs about anti-corruption, this year’s theme. The 29 year old Egyptian Youssra El-Hawary won the global music award with her debut video El Soor, or The Wall (Fair Play).
Recently actor and director Clint Eastwood said that he endorses the Republican presidential candidate, because “the country needs a boost“. But looking at his recent tour to Europe and Israel, Mitt Romney probably needs a boost himself. The song called The Mutt Romney Blues won’t make it any easier on him. It comes from the album Election Special of musician and protest singer Ry Cooder, which will be released end of this month.
Continue reading Mitt Romney hounded by dog-on-the-car-roof story
Three members of the Russian female punk group Pussy Riot – see also an earlier post on News and Noise – are on trial on hooliganism charges. For transparency, the court will broadcast the hearing on the 30th of July live on the internet (Times Live). At a closed hearing a motion is approved by state prosecutors to keep the girls in pretrial detention until Jan. 12, 2013. This is more than nine months after they were arrested (The Moscow Times). Experts, artists and musicians are openly showing their support for the band members.
Continue reading Solidarity with Pussy Riot
For everyone who knows how much effort goes into organizing a festival, the pledge of PACBI to boycott the 26th Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat must be surreal. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel believes that this festival is designed to whitewash the crimes of Israeli apartheid. How do fans and artists respond to this request?
Continue reading Boycott on cultural events in Israel