oi publishing

Why Russian? text by Manca Arnuš @ma__rnus and Ana Muñoz @ana_mm10 Ana from Cádiz and Manca from Ljubljana studied Russian Philology in Tartu and spent a summer in Almaty. They are critically reflecting on their time in both spaces, and the many questions that arise when knowledge is narrowly shaped by the dominant national narratives and colonial policies. “But why Russian?”, everyone keeps asking me. I never seem to give a satisfactory reply, each time blatantly expected by that one person who knows better than studying a language of the well-known oppressor. And what happens when two women, eager to uncover what Russian academia prefers not to say, meet in Barlova, drink beer, dream of reading modern literature instead of Tolstoy, long to learn accents and dialects rather than memorize Grammar and Syntax, begin asking why Tatarstan, Dagestan, or Kazan never appeared in our syllabi, and wonder what would happen if Russian Philology was instead called Russophone Philology? I am so intrigued by the mechanisms of the so-called “big languages”. This notion is not solely based on the number of speakers or translations made annually into a certain language, but rather on the language’s dominance which inseparably entails cultural and historical primacy. This ever so obvious yet often invisible veil of influence has always fascinated me—for example, at one point during WWII Slovenia was occupied by all its four neighbours, then Nazi Austria, Independent State of Croatia, Kingdom of Hungary, and fascist Kingdom of Italy. Naturally, Slovenian was prohibited, names and surnames were changed to sound more German, Italian, Hungarian and Croatian. But the power of the neighbouring languages, German still being the strongest. Criticizing the self-indulgence of the Western languages as the first thing, imported by the conqueror, Glissant emphasizes the concept of relation and errantry as essentially undermining the monolingualism of the conquest. It is only in acknowledging this errantry, this “peripheral” thought, that both parties are allowed to exist in relation text on @syg.ma.editorial design by Rok Ifko Krajnc rok___ik photos by Ana Muñoz & León Ihrke

Это фрагментарный выборочный перевод эссе «The Absence of Writing or How I Almost Became a Spy» поэтессы, писательницы, юристки и активистки M. NourbeSe Philip (Тобаго, Торонто). Республика Тринидад и Тобаго была британской колонией до 1976 г. Эссе было написано в 1983 году и затем было перепечатано в послесловии к её поэтической книге «She Tries Her Tongue — Her Silence Softly Breaks» (1989), полностью посвященной личным переживаниям Языка, причиненным разными языками, травмами и ощущениям Языка в пространстве смешанных идентичностей и колониального прошлого. В этом эссе НурбеСе Филип делится размышлениями о влиянии языков и последствиях языковых колониальных политик. Утверждая, что присвоение и изменение колониального языка — это необходимая часть деколонизации, возвращения памяти и освобождения обществ и отдельных личностей. Перевод доступен на on Syg.ma @syg.ma.editorial по ссылке в Links ~~>

Why Russia’s ‘Solidarity’ with the Global South Cannot be Called Anti-Colonial New text by @solnzewa.marina Marina Solntseva for Berliner Gazette @berlinergazette Imperial “solidarity” with the colonized, narrowly focused archives and reseches exclusively on the source of power and other aspects of hidden Russian colonialism. Read the full text via the link in the Links ~~>

Today we are launching VOICES OTHERWISE for the first time. We celebrate the curiosity and generosity of the community: duration of presence and the generosity of togetherness nurture gardens that pollinate the thirst of those who seek. We are grateful for the collective reflections and discussions: thoughts, criticism, manifestos, documentation, and epistemological shifts in motion from colonial hopelessness to decolonial solidarity. This book was written by translocal people, all of whom are in different spaces and stages of migration. All of these people explore imperialist ideologies, histories, and practices (particularly Russian one, but not only) and together engage in the awareness and practice of decoloniality. Come support us all today at @missreadberlin Miss Read Talks: 🗓 December 12, 2025, 6:00 PM 📍 Gerichtstrasse 45, 13347 Berlin ✨ Free admission, no registration required 🗣 Event in English Marina Solntseva @solnzewa.marina and Saltanat Shoshanova @quotidian_pleasures will give us a keynote speech on the difference between decolonial and anti-Western conversations, which should not be confused. And then we will have resistance soup - shorpo - prepared by @artofadiba . See you tonight! texts: @quotidian_pleasures Saltanat Shoshanova @nikarkay Irina Denkmann Kreolex zentre: @vilka_viski Maria Vilkovisky and @ruthia_jen Ruthia Jenrbekova @viktoriiasaltar Viktoriia Şăltăr @sashakarpov.1 Alexandr Carpov @olgaalexandrvn Olga Mun Anastasia Kolas @jezishka Tatsiana Shchurko @istudy23 Anton Ikhsanov @anita.araujo.poem Anita Araujo @lou__ix Lou Patrouix @nikolai_nikogdai Kolya Nakshunov @solnzewa.marina Marina Solnzewa @denisesakov Denis Esakov design and pre-press: @sukhova_anya Sukhova Anya illustrations and photography: @gonserovskayaolesya Olesya Gonserovskaya @urgen_kruger Evgeniya Kurtina jula.suli Julia Sulikowska Denis Esakov editing and publishing labor: oi publishing, Denis Esakov printed by TOTEM book printing house @totem.com.pl Das Projekt wird aus Mitteln des Programms des Landes Berlin zur kulturellen Infrastrukturerhaltung und -entwicklung in den Bezirken (Bezirkskulturfonds) gefördert. @kulturmitte

FORGOTTEN VOICES Tatar prisoners of war in the imperial strategies and colonial tactics of German and Russian Empires. A Carpet Pavilion with Tatars’Voices was constructed in the Open Air Museum of Decoloniality square (former Alexanderplatz). Inside the pavilion, the voices of Tatar prisoners can be heard. Outside, there is brief information about this unfolding story. Some people lined up to listen to the voices, some were afraid to go inside, and some entertained their little brothers by smoking a joint made inside of carpets. Leila Almazova played the kurai. @allapopp fed everyone Qabartma (traditional Tatar pastry). People warmly thanked us for the public story about the forgotten voices. This was Voices Otherwise’s last residency of the year. @allapopp brought Tatar voices from German archives to the square named after the Russian emperor, and then to the former food storage facility for German soldiers. This led to many conversations, and stories began to unfold more and more. If for the residencies it was a closing for this year, for the research it was an opening of further directions and a promise to continue the work. the history is unfolding now Text written by Denis Esakov @denisesakov and Anton Ikhsanov @istudy23 Read the full text on Syg.ma @syg.ma.editorial via the link in the Links ~~> Das Projekt wird aus Mitteln des Programms des Landes Berlin zur kulturellen Infrastrukturerhaltung und -entwicklung in den Bezirken (Bezirkskulturfonds) gefördert. @kulturmitte

the current state of Indigenous peoples in russia and their struggle against Russian colonialism and war Summary report, written by Independent Indigenous and Decolonial activists, researchers and members of anti-war initiatives as part of a roundtable discussion at the German Foreign Ministry in 2024. This book is the result of collective volunteer work of Indigenous and decolonial activists, researchers, and participants of ethnic organisations, migrant diasporas and anti-war initiatives from Russia. They belong to peoples who, at different times, have experienced Russian colonization and its consequences, and they are united by one task: to tell the world the truth about our state in Russia and to work towards a future free from colonialism, authoritarianism and war. These texts briefly summarises the main theses of the reports, which can be seen as recommendations for supporting decolonial policies towards Russia for foreign political leaders, NGOs, activists, experts, academics, cultural actors and other representatives of democratic countries interested in the prospects for a sustainable and just peace in the region. We are extremely grateful to everyone who wrote and prepared this book: Vika Dorzhiin @maladaeva Yana Tannagashova Tian Zaochnaia Viliuia Choinova @viliuiac Sholbaana Kuular @moshonakas Bulat Bazarov Leyla Latypova @leyla.latypova Seseg Jigjitova @seseg_j bashqort Solidarity @bashqortsolidarity + anonymous Indigenous decolonial activists editor-in-chief: Gulnara Shuraleeva English translation: Hanna Otchyk @anseora design + illustrations: Olesya Gonserovskaya @gonserovskayaolesya Preparation and coordination of publication: Nomads @nomads_ic @de_colonialanguage Publication supported by Dialog Büro Vienna @dialogbuero.vienna The book is also available for download at indigenous-vision.com News from indigenous peoples in Russia: @asiansofrussia @indigenousofrussia @freeyakutiafoundation_eng @freeburyatiafoundation @re.public_speaking @chavaga.media @oirad_jisan @new_tuva @fromtherepublics @voices_of_nations @todomedia.ru @komi_daily @kost_du @bashqortsolidarity @totqondar

a THOUSAND MOTHER TONGUES TREE “I don’t have a mother tongue, I only speak German” – this phrase uttered by a ten-year-old boy marked the beginning of Voices Otherwise, a residency with Անի Մենուա [Ani Menua] @ani_menua in July this year at the Open Air Museum of Decoloniality on Alexanderplatz. The text on Syg.ma tells about the performance in the square. It also includes a conversation between poets Անի Մենուա [Ani Menua] @ani_menua and Dordzhi Dzhaldzhireev @dzhaldzhiireevdordzhi about distance from themselves, from national ideologies, about languages of belonging and self-expression. The same text also reflects on mixed languages—pidgins—as languages of resistance. And the question arises: where are the Pidgin Russian languages? They exist. If you know of any examples, please share them with us. Read the full text on Syg.ma @syg.ma.editorial via the link in the Links ~~> Das Projekt wird aus Mitteln des Programms des Landes Berlin zur kulturellen Infrastrukturerhaltung und -entwicklung in den Bezirken (Bezirkskulturfonds) gefördert. @kulturmitte

TAKE aSEAT. MAKE aSHIFT We are opening this week. Thirteen artists are participating in the exhibition, and more than thirty artists, activists, and researchers are contributing to the Circulations program during a month untill October 18. The opening is this Saturday, September 20, at 5 p.m. That same evening, there will be a live performance by Eldar Tagi @eldar_tagi Come and pick up this wonderful handbook, which will accompany you through the exhibition. We have prepared a copy for each visitor. Inside, you will find context, navigation, concept, and threads. Let’s connect and relate. For the design of the booklet full support, our immense and boundless love and adoration goes to Sukhova Anya @sukhova_anya <3 See you this weekend ~~< Kulturfabrik Moabit @kulturfabrikmoabit Lehrter Str. 35, 10557 Berlin 20 September 17:00 doors are open Exhibition opening hours: Fridays: 18:00-22:00 Saturdays and Sundays: 15:00-22:00

Voices Otherwise: TRANSLOCAL SOUNDS Circassian sound archives collected by ORED Recordings in the space of knowledge production. In June 2025 ethnographic label ORED RECORDINGS @oredrecordings from Nalchik became a resident of Voices Otherwise organized by de_colonialangage collective. During their stay in Open Air Museum of Decoloniality, Alexanderplatz, Berlin, ORED set up a circle of seven carpets each provided with speakers. On every carpet the public could dive into a playlist of Circassian sound collected by ORED according to theme and historical period. The knowledge invisible to the passers appeared on the surface. Those who could recognize Circassian music were somehow stopped in the middle of their paths. People, if interrupting their intentions to move forward, were reacting vividly, staying next to carpets longer than one would expect, laughing and even dancing in the groups. The music was functioning as a sieve or fish net. A decolonial project in Berlin on the square named after the Russian Empire — is a characteristic feature of this sound installation and our activity in general. ORED is an ethnographic label with Circassian origin, one of the peoples of the North Caucasus that has a vast history of colonial trauma. From 1763 to 1864 Circassians were in a state of war for independence against the Russian Empire, that resulted in genocide of Circassians. Most of the population was either killed or exiled outside Circassia — to the Ottoman Empire. Russia won the war and now the historical territory of Circassia is the so called “South of Russia». Today, more Circassians live in the diaspora than in the Caucasus. All this has affected oral tradition, music, professional art, memorial practices, historical memory and all contemporary life. Read the full text on Syg.ma @syg.ma.editorial via the link in the bio ~~> The text was written by Bulat Khalilov (ORED), Denis Esakov @denisesakov and Irina Denkmann @nikarkay Das Projekt wird aus Mitteln des Programms des Landes Berlin zur kulturellen Infrastrukturerhaltung und -entwicklung in den Bezirken (Bezirkskulturfonds) gefördert.

Voices Otherwise: YALT meditations on Three Suns and one Rain in Chuvash tradition Viktoriia Şăltăr’s @viktoriiasaltar autoethnographic project Yalt was realized in May 2025 in Berlin as part of the Voices Otherwise residency program organized by de_colonialangage collective in Open Air Museum of Decoloniality (Alexanderplatz, Berlin) and in @chtodelatemergencyprojectroom chto delat Emergency Project Room. The Yalt project involved participative performance, Signal Window display and installation, poetry reading and collective cooking of Shürpe soup. Jointly these actions are carefully through acts of re-connection, re-existence, and perhaps a form of reward—not only for those from Chuvashia, but for all of us who yearn for home. Three people Viktoriia Şăltăr, Denis Esakov @denisesakov and Irina Denkmann @nikarkay offer their headspace to think of the myths, arts and nature forces of chuvash tradition and its contemporary intersections with current structures and myths. read the full text and see photos from both YALT-events on Syg.ma @syg.ma.editorial Das Projekt wird aus Mitteln des Programms des Landes Berlin zur kulturellen Infrastrukturerhaltung und -entwicklung in den Bezirken (Bezirkskulturfonds) gefördert.

ТЕКУЩЕЕ ПОЛОЖЕНИЕ КОРЕННЫХ НАРОДОВ В РОССИИ, И ИХ СОПРОТИВЛЕНИЕ РОССИЙСКОМУ КОЛОНИАЛИЗМУ И ВОЙНЕ cводный доклад, написанный независимыми коренными и деколониальными активист:ками, исследовател:ьницами и участни:цами антивоенных инициатив Эта книга — результат коллективного волонтерского труда демократических коренных и деколониальных активисто:к, исследовател:ьниц и участни:ц этнических организаций, мигрантских диаспор и антивоенных инициатив из России. Мы принадлежим к народам, в разное время испытавшим на себе российскую колонизацию и ее последствия, а объединяет нас одна задача: рассказывать миру правду о нашем положении в России и работать над созданием будущего без колониализма, авторитаризма и войны. Эти тексты можно рассматривать как рекомендации по поддержке деколониальной политики в отношении России для иностранных политических лидеров, НКО, активистов, экспертов, ученых, культурных деятелей и других представителей демократических стран, заинтересованных в перспективах достижения устойчивого и справедливого мира в регионе. Огромная благодарность всем, кто писали и готовили эту книгу: Vika Dorzhiin @maladaeva Яна Таннагашева Тьян Заочная Вилюя Чойнова @viliuiac Шолбаана Куулар @moshonakas Булат Базаров Ләйлә Латыпова @leyla.latypova bashqort Solidarity collective @bashqortsolidarity а также: анонимные независимые коренные и деколониальные активисты, исследователи и участники антивоенных и деколониальных инициатив Подготовка и координация издания: Гульнара Шуралеева Nomads @nomads_ic de_colonialangauge @de_colonialanguage Olesya Gonserovskaya @gonserovskayaolesya Публикация осуществлена при поддержке Dialogbüro Vienna @dialogbuero.vienna Доклады были написаны в рамках подготовки к круглому столу в МИДе Германии в 2024 Книга также доступна для скачивания на сайте indigenous-vision.com

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION of ?HUMAN? RIGHTS “Who is a human in Human Rights?” – asked Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. The nation-state gives a very very very weird answer to this questioning - males, documented, true-local, people who are People etc. Such human beings in nation-states are eligible to have rights or discussit. This pamphlet infiltrates the Universalism that became the Declaration of the Human Rights. It is a critical perspective from within the reality of nation-states on Universalisms. We give here the full text of the declaration, published on December 10, 1948 and since translated into more than 500 languages. No words have been deleted from this official universalist text. The changes we have made carefully highlight and emphasize those parts of the declaration to which it is important to pay attention. This intervention is part of an exhibition TAKE a SEAT (basis, Frankfurt, 2025) about which more details are written at the end of this pamphlet.