Russian Artist Flees to Germany, Finds Creative Outlet in Carnival Float
A young Russian artist who recently arrived in Germany, citing artistic limitations in her home country, is participating in the famed Jacques Tilly Carnival in Düsseldorf.
While requesting anonymity due to concerns about her safety, the artist expressed frustration with constraints on creative expression in Russia.
"The word 'freedom' doesn't exist in Russia for artists," she stated. "You can work cautiously, hiding your true message, but the fear of censorship is constant."
Explaining her decision to leave, the artist, identified as Marina, drew parallels to jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. "I spoke too freely," she admitted. "Prison felt like the next step."
Now in Germany, Marina sees the carnival as a platform for unfiltered expression. "It's freedom in art form," she said, hinting at a float potentially featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Marina's past contributions to the carnival included floats depicting figures like Putin "bathing in Ukrainian blood," highlighting the ongoing conflict.
The Düsseldorf carnival's main parade takes place on February 12th.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
