Gessen part of Russian Culture Week at CU-Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder welcomes acclaimed Russian-American author, journalist and LGBT activist Masha Gessen for a discussion of her newly published book, “Words Will Break Cement: The Passion of Pussy Riot,” at 7 p.m. April 24 in Eaton Humanities, Room 150.

Gessen is a bilingual Russian-American journalist. She is currently at work on a book about the Tsarnaev brothers – the two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing. “Words Will Break Cement” and other books by Gessen will be available for purchase and signing after the event.

The event is free and open to the public but space is limited, so RSVPs are appreciated. Please email glbtqrc@colorado.edu.

Gessen also will present a brown bag lunch lecture, “Russia: The New Anti-Gay Capital of the World,” from noon to 1:30 p.m. April 24 in the University Memorial Center, Aspen Room. As one of Russia’s most outspoken LGBT activists, she will discuss how Russia launched its anti-gay campaign and how it is being used to mobilize Putin’s constituency around the notion of “traditional values” as well as provide Russia with a national identity it has lacked for 25 years. This is free and open to the public.

Gessen’s visit is part of the annual Russian Culture Week, April 21-25, presented by the Russian Studies Program. For more information, go to http://jewishstudies.colorado.edu.