This roundtable discussion is centered around an upcoming monograph “Contesting feminism and media culture in contemporary Russia: from celebrities to anti-war activists” (Routledge) co-authored by the speakers. The book draws on research that was conducted within the four-year research project FEMCORUS, focusing on the variety of popularized expressions of feminism circulating in Russian media and their role in feminist activist anti-war mobilization during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Operating with such innovative concepts as ‘mediation of feminism’ and ‘the feminist media ecology’ the roundtable introduces snapshots from the book’s case studies, highlighting the ways in which public figures from high-profile celebrity figures to social media influencers have used their media visibility to challenge traditional gender roles – even under an increasing authoritarian pressure. The roundtable provides insights into mixed method based analysis of research interviews and media data as well as offers a fresh look at how feminist ideas are shared, shaped, and sometimes silenced in authoritarian Russia. It also highlights the voices of activists from the Feminist Anti-War Resistance (FAR), showing how the movement has evolved since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This discussion contributes to our understanding of the opportunities and constraints shaping feminist activism in Russia today and offers new ways of thinking about feminism and progressive politics in an era shaped by digital technologies and a global authoritarian turn.
Roundtable speakers: Saara Ratilainen, Galina Miazhevich, Daniil Zhaivoronok
