It’s  8th of March, itt’s International Women’s Day and I decided to buy flowers for my Mom.

But the weather outside was nasty on this day in Düsseldorf (Germany) where I live. The spring opens its door already, but the winter didn’t want to leave. A snow storm came on the morning with thick flackes and soon painted the whole landscape in white. Normally, this region has a moderate climat with mild winters, but sometimes the weather plays crazy.

I was out in the city for shopping and saw the reproduction of Alexei Navalny’s punishment cell. For those who don’t know: Alexei Navalny is one of Russia’s most famous opposition politicians.

He was imprisoned two years ago as he returned to Russia. And because he’s supposed to break the rules of his prison they send him permanently in a punishment cell. His team, family, friends and colleagues try to call public’s attention to show his condition in prison and how he’s treated there. They built a replication of his punishement cell and are going to exhibit it in some big cities worldwide. First in was set in Berlin and now transported to Düsseldorf. I was very curious and went to look at it.

It is suitated on a place near the Königsallee, Düsseldorf’s most prestgious part with luxury butiques,     5-star hotels, restaurants etc.  It’s a small grey container measuring 3 x 2 meters. On the one side you can see the word  „ШИЗО“ – that means punishment cell in Russian. There were three people of the team and few visitors standing aside and going in. I waited for my turn.

The two other sides are insribed by visitors and posted. What a stark contrast, isn’t it?

There’re two boards in German and English describing what’s about.

The 4th side has a door and a display, where the show A. navalny when he was free, making speeches etc.

I stopped for a while and stepped in… A very small room painted in desolating grey.

What I saw first was this.

And this

Between the toilet and the washbowl on the wall the rules of the daily schedule in Russian, German and English.

Under the window, those are flyers from his team.

I guess this is supposed to be his bed.

A lamp over the door. I wonder how A. Navalny is reading there?

How crazy could it be seeing after all this luxury boutiques?!

First impressions: shockinly desolating, sad uncomfortable and very very very dirty! I have such a pity with him!

And.. no comment. Decide for yourselves.

After going out a guy from the team asked me, if I wish to listen to some explanations. He told me, that the container was biult according to the guidance of Oleg Navalny, Alexei Navalny’s brother.. He was imprisoned too and know exactly how it is there.

Then he asked me, if I want to leave a message on the wall and as I said „Yes, I want“, He brought me a marker and I tried to find some free place, which was hardly to find.

(Our dialogue, not exactly, but what I remember)

„But you know, without profanity“, he said.

„No, of course not“, I answered. „How long will it stay here“, I asked.

„Till the next monday“, he said. „It was set on saturday, supposed to stay here for a week“.

„But it was set in Berlin longer“. I said.

„Yes, for a month“, he replied

„Good, that I had time to come“, I said.

„You can come every time, it’s 24/7 open for visiting till monday“. he said.

„Where is it going next“, I wanted to know.

„To Paris“, was his answer.

I found a free place and wrote my message: Free the truth. Can you find it?

„I wish you luck, buy!“, I said

As I wanted to take last photos and go, there came two young women and began to talk in German that it’s all lies. Well, let’s hope that Alexei Navalny has more supporters than opponents.

I went home hoping that human being will be freed soon and build a new better reality without prisons and punishment cells and a little bit happy I made some history with that immortalising message.

And I bought flowers for my Mom, in the end it was the 8th of March.