The animals uprising: Birgit Minichmayr reads touching fable in Klagenfurt

The animals uprising: Birgit Minichmayr reads touching fable in Klagenfurt

The fable "Zöglinge" describes life in prison from the perspective of animals and includes a variety of characteristic figures, including the spoiled cat Schaja, the wise rat, the brave crow and the wild cats. Minichmayr impressed the audience by lively showing the text with different voices. Her performance emphasized the underlying message of the author: "The worst is not the prison. The worst is the worst."

a literary window for reality

Nadja Kayali became aware of Berkowitsch by an article in the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". This shows how important it is to hear the voices of artists who live and work under repressive conditions. According to estimates, around 2,000 artists are detained in Russian prisons, and the fable serves as a literary window in the severe living conditions of those affected.

The reading took place in the context of the festival, which lasts from July 3 to August 3, 2025. Birgit Minichmayr will perform the text again on July 31 in the Ossiach Abbey. Following the reading, there will be a conversation with historian Irina Scherbakowa, in which the topics of freedom of art and repressive measures are discussed in Russia.

art in the focus of repression

The situation of the artists in Russia is characterized by a variety of challenges. In her work, Sandra Frimmel dealt with the court proceedings against art and artists in Russia after Perestroika. It analyzes how artistic actions are often punished with harsh legal consequences, which underlines the urgent need for dialogue about art and freedom. From the punk band Pussy Riot to provocative performances to the art group Vojna, it becomes clear how strongly state repression influences the ideas circulating among artists.

The reports on convictions and the theatricalization of the legal proceedings show that the discussion about art and identity in Russia is still characterized by a strict value system that is often in conflict with the free forms of expression of the artists.

Overall, the reading of Birgit Minichmayr contributes to an important discourse on art, freedom and the realities of life of people in repressive regimens, and creates an awareness of the challenges that artists face - both in Russia and worldwide.