Andrey Kalikh is a human rights activist, journalist, volunteer.
Born in Perm, he studied to become a historian. He began his human rights and volunteer activities in the 90s – he collaborated with Memorial and helped build up the museum of political repressions Perm-36. He coordinated the work of the first international volunteer camp in Perm.
After 2014, he helps Ukrainians who suffered from Russian aggression. For him, volunteering is a way to “put out the fire in your soul when you are tormented by burning shame for what the country has done.”
Andrei Kalikh speaks in the Eyewitnesses project about why Putin’s victory could become a triumph for all dictators in the world, what is good about decolonization and how emigration weakens it.
00:37 – Andrey Kalikh talks about himself
01:27 – Have you had any experience of political activism?
02:30 – Before the war, you had a family project, you moved to a village near St. Petersburg, equipped it, and involved the locals. Tell me.
03:27 – Was this departure to the village an escapist response to what was happening in the country, a premonition?
04:47 – How did February 24, 2022 change your life?
05:52 – How did you come to volunteering, what feelings drove this desire to help Ukrainian refugees?
09:14 – Why do you think Putin needs war?
10:14 – What then to do with those responsible for this war?
10:42 – What can stop the war?
11:55 – Today Russian society is split. Is reconciliation possible?
12:45 – Do you think that civil society in Russia has failed to cope with the task? What did we do wrong?
14:03 – Can Russia change for the better?
15:20 – If the power in Russia changes, will you return?
16:22 – What are you most afraid of?
17:03 – What do you dream about?