Russian colonialism

What is happening in Ukraine today has happened many times before.

For five centuries, an empire with no new ideas has repeated the same script: manipulate, invade, erase. Together, we will look at this pattern from three different angles — through a lecture, a performance, and a conversation.

Ukrainian-Czech author Maksym Eristavi will present a lecture based on Russian Colonialism 101 (published in Czech as Ruský kolonialismus: průvodce), his illustrated guide to the last century of Russian imperial invasions. Crimean Tatar artist Aziza Eskender will follow with a performance conveying her people’s centuries-long struggle against Russian colonial erasure. Afterwards, both will join Ukrainian-Czech artist and researcher Darja Lukjanenko for a conversation about how recognising the imperial script can help us defend ourselves against it in the Czech context as well.

· GUESTS ·

Maksym Eristavi is a journalist and award-winning writer born in Ukraine. He is the author of Russian Colonialism 101 and describes himself as the “chief storyteller of Russian colonialism.” He has long worked to deepen global awareness of the legacy of Russian colonialism. More information: maksymeristavi.com

Aziza Eskender is a Crimean Tatar trip-hop musician, composer, and multidisciplinary artist. Through music, symbols, dance, and painting, she explores her own journey and that of her people — from the darkness of the spiritual and physical subjugation of their homeland, language, and consciousness toward a liberation that can give rise to new ideas and a new history for the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine. To preserve their nation, they must attain justice and, through that justice, the power to shape their own future.

Darja Lukjanenko is an interdisciplinary artist, activist, and educator. In her research, she focuses on the postcolonial condition in regions affected by Soviet imperialism, with particular emphasis on Ukraine, as well as on migration, identity, and collective memory. She teaches contemporary art at FUD UJEP and, since 2025, has co-led the Fine Art Studio there together with Martin Krupa.

· PARTNERS ·
The event is organised with the financial support of the City of Prague, Prague 2, and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic as part of Laichter House’s literary programme.