MAXXI hosts marathon reading of Politkovskaya's 'La Russia di Putin' for Europe Day

On May 9, 2022, the MAXXI museum in Rome hosted a literary marathon reading of Anna Politkovskaya's 'La Russia di Putin' to mark Europe Day. The event, organized with the Accademia Molly Bloom and publisher Adelphi, featured readings by artists, writers, journalists, and intellectuals including Pierluigi Battista, Francesca d'Aloja, Diego De Silva, Cristiano Godano, Maria Latella, Monica Maggioni, Neri Marcorè, Myrta Merlino, Marino Sinibaldi, and Elena Stancanelli. MAXXI president Giovanna Melandri stated that rereading Politkovskaya helps understand Russia's recent decades under Putin's regime, noting that Russian artists and intellectuals have always contributed to European culture. Accademia Molly Bloom rector Leonardo Colombati emphasized that the reading condemns Putin's invasion of Ukraine and shows solidarity with those opposing it in both Ukraine and Russia. Politkovskaya, a special correspondent for Novaya Gazeta and winner of the Golden Pen Award in 2000, was assassinated in Moscow in 2006. Europe Day commemorates the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950, which laid the foundation for the European Union.