Moscow’s ‘almost naked’ party sparks outrage amid war and conservatism

A controversial party hosted by a Russian blogger at a Moscow nightclub has sparked outrage and legal action from various groups, who accused the event of being immoral and disrespectful to the country’s war efforts and conservative values.

The party, which took place on December 20-21 at the Mutabor club, was themed “almost naked” and featured several celebrities wearing minimal clothing or accessories. The organizer, Anastasia Ivleeva, said the party was a way to showcase her work as the former chief editor of the Russian edition of Playboy magazine.

However, the party drew criticism from Orthodox Church officials, pro-war activists, pro-Kremlin lawmakers, and anti-LGBTQ groups, who denounced the event as a display of “sodomy, obscurantism, and LGBT propaganda.”

One of the attendees, rapper Vacio (Nikolay Vasilyev), who wore only a sock to cover his genitals, was arrested and sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined 200,000 rubles (roughly $2,200) for “petty hooliganism” and “propagating non-traditional sexual relationships.” He later apologized for his actions.

Other attendees, such as pop star Anna Asti, also faced consequences, such as having their performances cancelled or being sued for moral damages. Ivleeva herself was sued for 1 billion rubles ($11 million) by a group of citizens who claimed the party harmed their dignity and honor.

The backlash against the party comes at a time when Russia is at war in Ukraine and the authorities are pushing an increasingly conservative agenda. In recent years, the Kremlin has passed a number of anti-LGBTQ laws, such as banning “gay propaganda” and declaring the “international LGBTQ movement” an extremist organization.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is seeking reelection in March 2024, has also emphasized the importance of traditional values and portrayed the West as decadent and immoral.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the party, saying: “Regarding this party, I ask for your mercy: let’s stay the only ones in the country not discussing this topic.”

However, some of the party’s critics, such as Ekaterina Mizulina, the head of the Safe Internet League and a vocal pro-war activist, thanked the police for their response and shared messages from angry citizens who said the party was an insult to the soldiers and their families who are fighting in Ukraine.

“How do I explain to my nephew, who, while participating in a special operation, lost both legs and became disabled, what he fought for, and why he ended up disabled, for Ivleeva’s underwear?” one of the messages read.

Mizulina said: “To host such events at a time when our young people are perishing in the military operations and many children are losing their fathers is cynical. Our fighters on the front lines are certainly not fighting for this.”