Viktor Anatolyevich Shenderovich (russian: Ви́ктор Анато́льевич Шендеро́вич; born August 15, 1958) is a Russian satirist, writer, scriptwriter and radio host.
Biography
Shenderovich was born in
Moscow
Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 millio ...
into a family of
Belarusian Jewish origin. In 1980, he graduated from the
Moscow State Art and Cultural University
Moscow State Art and Cultural University (russian: Московский государственный университет культуры и искусств) is a Russian university, a vocational training center in the field of culture and a ...
, specializing in "direction of volunteer theatrical groups". He is best known as a scriptwriter of popular political puppet show ''
Puppets
A puppet is an object, often resembling a human, animal or mythical figure, that is animated or manipulated by a person called a puppeteer. The puppeteer uses movements of their hands, arms, or control devices such as rods or strings to mov ...
'', which was aired on
NTV NTV may refer to:
Television
* NTV (Bangladesh), a Bengali-language satellite television channel in Bangladesh
* NTV (India), Telugu regional channel
* NTV (Kenya)
* NTV (Mongolia), a television channel based in Mongolia
* NTV (Newport Televis ...
1994 to 2002. He hosted satirical author program ''Total'' on NTV 1997 to 2001 and
TV-6 in 2002. Later, Shenderovich ran a weekly program ''Processed Cheese'' on the
Echo of Moscow
Echo of Moscow (russian: links=no, Эхо Москвы, translit=Ekho Moskvy) was a 24/7 commercial Russian radio station based in Moscow. It broadcast in many Russian cities, some of the former Soviet republics (through partnerships with local r ...
radio station. The texts of this program's editions were later collected in his book ''Better Two Heads Than One'', implying Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin; (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who holds the office of president of Russia. Putin has served continuously as president or prime minister since 1999: as prime min ...
. Nowadays Shenderovich is a columnist of ''
The New Times'', a
liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
Russian weekly.
He is known as an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin's rule and the government's stance on the
war in Chechnya. Shenderovich is among the 10 first signatories of the online anti-Putin manifesto "
Putin Must Go
"Putin Must Go" () is a Russian website and public campaign organised for the collection of signatures to an open letter demanding the resignation of President (formerly Prime Minister) Vladimir Putin. The campaign was started on the Internet on ...
" published in March 2010. On 26 December 2010, Shenderovich played a major role in organizing a "Moscow for Everyone" (russian: Москва для всех) rally in the capital of Russia, in response to race riots having occurred earlier in the month.
On 30 December 2021, Russia's
Ministry of Justice A Ministry of Justice is a common type of government department that serves as a justice ministry.
Lists of current ministries of justice
Named "Ministry"
* Ministry of Justice (Abkhazia)
* Ministry of Justice (Afghanistan)
* Ministry of Just ...
added Shenderovich to its list of “foreign agents”.
On January 11, 2022, Shenderovich left Russia because of a pressure campaign against him by officials, including his controversial designation as a "foreign agent." He was living in Poland as of January 13, 2022.
Candidate
In 2005, Shenderovich ran for a seat in a December 4 by-election to the
State Duma but came in second to the popular filmmaker
Stanislav Govorukhin
Stanislav Sergeyevich Govorukhin (russian: Станислав Сергеевич Говорухин; 29 March 1936 – 14 June 2018) was a Soviet and Russian film director, actor, screenwriter, producer and politician. He was named People's Artis ...
. The winner took 38% of votes and Shenderovich took 17%. Before the election, Shenderovich protested the "widely illegal and immoral practices" of Govorukhin in court, but his appeal was rejected by the judge as unfounded.
In 2006, he published the book ''Nedodumets'' in which he summarized his experience as a Duma candidate.
References
External links
*
His Official SiteHis blogHis publications in on-line journal Ezhednevnyi Zhurnal (The Daily Journal)Liberal Duma Candidate Says Pressured By Kremlin Officials
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shenderovich, Viktor
1958 births
Living people
Writers from Moscow
Russian journalists
Russian political activists
Russian television personalities
Echo of Moscow radio presenters
Russian dissidents
Russian liberals
Russian Jews
Russian people of Belarusian-Jewish descent
Israeli people of Belarusian-Jewish descent
People listed in Russia as media foreign agents
Russian activists against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Mass media people from Moscow