Artikel auf Deutsch lesen Human and women’s rights: 365 days a year! 28. März 2021Lesedauer: 3 Min. What does courage mean? Would you be brave enough yourself to stand up for others who need support or help? What if the situation could affect your own life? These were the questions that Moscow-based artist Katerina Voronina grappled with when she took part in Amnesty International’s competition to design a “Brave Wall” to mark International Women’s Day, organised in cooperation with the URBAN NATION Museum. A “Brave Wall” in the heart of Berlin-Kreuzberg that encourages people to stand up for human and women’s rights and is the first of its kind in Germany: Katerina Voronina’s inspiration for the design of the façade on Gitschiner Straße was the story of the Brazilian city councillor and human rights campaigner Marielle Franco, who was murdered in Rio de Janeiro on 14 March 2018. As a bisexual black woman, Marielle Franco stood up for human rights and minorities, especially for the rights of the black population and the inhabitants of the favelas where she lived herself. When we meet Katerina Voronina, who has lived in Berlin for two years, in front of the “Brave Wall”, she tells us what inspired this theme. Long conversations with her Brazilian roommate about the fight against corruption in Brazil and in Russia were part of this. This is another reason why Katerina Voronina’s façade theme reflects Marielle Franco’s courage and unshakable stance. What does it mean to be brave? Katerina Voronina believes that not all courage is the same: “Those who have nothing to fear have a human duty to help those who need it. This is normal, there is nothing to discuss. But if you risk your life doing it, then it is really very courageous.” She would like it if people did not have to discuss human and women’s rights in the 21st century any more. She is all the more grateful that she can live a free life. The possibilities of different journeys through life are symbolised on the “Brave Wall”: the scientist, the student, a leader or a musician. Through her work, Katerina Voronina wants to show that the freedom to choose our own path in life is independent of age, who we love or what religion we belong to. The “Brave Wall” in Kreuzberg – a challenge for Katerina Voronina. Foto: Nika Kramer, Amnesty International The first “Brave Wall” in Germany consistently ties in with the topic of “the defenders of women’s rights and human rights” as one of central themes of Amnesty International’s “Women Human Rights Defenders” (WHRD) and the “Stand Up For The Brave” campaign. Women Human Rights Defenders includes women who stand up for people of all genders, for human rights relating to women and for gender equality. The “Brave Wall” aims to enhance the visibility and recognition of human rights defenders and their work in the public arena. Artist Katerina Voronina (right) and Emily Eldridge preparing to climb and work on the “Brave Wall” on Gitschiner Street. Foto: Nika Kramer, Amnesty Internationa Fear of heights and keep going! Creating the “Brave Wall” was both a mental and physical challenge for Katerina Voronina. On the one hand because of the important message she wanted to convey and on the other because of her fear of heights. This made working on the “Brave Wall” a real triumph for Katerina Voronina. She was supported by her colleague, American artist Emily Eldridge, who assisted her, even though she herself is also a little afraid of heights. “Every day, Emily told me not to look down, just keep going,” laughs Katerina Voronina. That’s probably how it is with courage: just keep going. Encouragement and coffee from residents’ balconies also helped against the fear of heights. But giving interviews is also a new experience for Katerina Voronina; she usually expresses herself with illustrations. She would like to contemplate some questions a little longer – so she takes her time: “Short, quick answers are not always the right ones when it comes to the important issues of human and women’s rights,” she believes. Thank you for the interview, Karerina Voronina! Mit dem Laden des Videos akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von YouTube.Mehr erfahren Video laden YouTube immer entsperren PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0iX2JybGJzLWZsdWlkLXdpZHRoLXZpZGVvLXdyYXBwZXIiPjxpZnJhbWUgdGl0bGU9IkJyYXZlIFdhbGw6IEt1bnN0IGbDvHIgRnJhdWVucmVjaHRsZXJfaW5uZW4hIiB3aWR0aD0iNTAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI4MSIgc3JjPSJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLW5vY29va2llLmNvbS9lbWJlZC9xRlZvZm5LRDBDTT9mZWF0dXJlPW9lbWJlZCIgZnJhbWVib3JkZXI9IjAiIGFsbG93PSJhY2NlbGVyb21ldGVyOyBhdXRvcGxheTsgY2xpcGJvYXJkLXdyaXRlOyBlbmNyeXB0ZWQtbWVkaWE7IGd5cm9zY29wZTsgcGljdHVyZS1pbi1waWN0dXJlIiBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4+PC9pZnJhbWU+PC9kaXY+ Amnesty International Germany’s Dr Julia Duchrow on the “Brave Wall” in Berlin-Kreuzberg How did the execution of the “Brave Wall” in Berlin-Kreuzberg come about? We wanted to artistically design a “Brave Wall” on the topic of “Women Human Rights Defenders” for the first time in Germany to mark International Women’s Day. The aim of the “Brave Wall” is to enhance the visibility and recognition of human rights defenders and their work in the public arena. Can anyone support the “Stand Up For The Brave” campaign? Yes! Together, we can all contribute to ensuring that human rights defenders are protected. We initiate and support petitions and urgent actions for their safety. Those who want to get involved long-term can become a member, join or donate to an Amnesty group. The commitment of each and every one of us is valuable. Thank you!