The world has not forgotten you, friend
Musical art installation about political prisoners
From 15 December 2024 until 30 March 2025
Two weeks after the murder of Alexei Navalny, one of the cells in the Koepel in Haarlem was filled with a special musical art installation. With this presentation of drawings, animation and music, artist Christel Bouwmeester and the band Bender drew attention to the fate of (anonymous) citizens, lawyers, journalists and writers who non-violently resist authoritarian and dictatorial regimes all over the world.
Aleksei Navalny was one of Russia’s best known opposition members. He died in captivity on 16 February 2024. His story is famous, but there are countless other political prisoners around the world. Often they do not receive a (fair) trial and are confronted with appalling conditions, isolation and even torture or murder.
Bouwmeester’s and Bender’s presentation focuses on Navalny, but also on the countless other political prisoners worldwide. The art project ‘The world has not forgotten you, friend,’ brings together poetry, music, visual arts and animation. Bender’s song asks whether the world is not constantly forgetting these people. Christel Bouwmeester reinforces this message with her pictures, in which you are further drawn into the story by the somber backgrounds and decors.
Bender has been touring the country with Dutch songs since 2010. With an authentic sound and recognizable lyrics, the band establishes its identity that cannot be ignored. Christel has her own signature style that is fleeting and loose. By working with water-soluble materials, she pays with the material and lets herself be surprised by what happens.
De musical art installation can be seen in the Freedom Museum in Dutch and English.
