Kyrgyz Museum Director Resigns Amid Threats Over Feminist Exhibition Censorship
Mira Dzhangaracheva has stepped down from her role as the director of the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts due to state backlash and intimidation from nationalist factions. The uproar was triggered by the Feminnale of Contemporary Art, which Kyrgyzstan's culture minister denounced as a 'campaign featuring naked women under the banner of feminism.' State authorities ordered the removal of several pieces, and a performance by Danish artist Julie Savery that included nudity was called off. This exhibition aimed to honor the 17 women, primarily Kyrgyz migrant workers, who perished in a 2016 factory fire in Moscow. Both former president Roza Otunbayeva and the United Nations have condemned the censorship, with the UN voicing concerns over threats and intolerance. Dzhangaracheva stated on Facebook that her resignation was voluntary, prompted by the government's response and perceived threats to her staff.
Key facts
- Mira Dzhangaracheva resigned as director of the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts
- The resignation followed threats and state condemnation of a feminist exhibition
- Kyrgyzstan's minister of culture criticized the exhibition as a 'campaign with naked women under the flag of feminism'
- The exhibition Feminnale of Contemporary Art commemorated 17 women who died in a 2016 Moscow factory fire
- Most victims were migrant workers from Kyrgyzstan
- Several works were removed by state order
- A performance by Danish artist Julie Savery involving nudity was canceled
- Former president Roza Otunbayeva and the UN spoke out against the censorship
Entities
Artists
- Julie Savery
Institutions
- Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts
- United Nations
Locations
- Kyrgyzstan
- Moscow
- Russia