Oxford New Russian Society, Oxford (2026)

30/05/2026

Have you ever heard of the theremin? ✨

A rare chance to hear one of the world’s most unusual instruments live at Wind from the East – our upcoming theremin and piano concert at the Holywell Music Room.

5 June • Tickets via link in bio.

24/02/2026

Statement on the Fourth Anniversary of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine

Dear friends,

This is the fourth time we are publishing this statement, and each year we hope the next one will be titled “On the Termination of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine.” That day will come and we need to be ready for it.

This war has become a formative part of our identity. ONRS was founded in response to Russia’s aggression to represent anti-war Russians, serve as a platform for helping Ukrainians, and support Russians who refuse to accept Putin’s regime.

We can already say this: ONRS will continue to exist after the war ends – whether through a negotiated settlement, a prolonged ceasefire, or a change of regime in Russia. Any of these scenarios may create a short window of opportunity for pro-democratic forces within and outside Russia. And this is why we must think and talk about Russia’s democratic future today – so that we can act when the opportunity presents itself.

As we did last year, we urge you to follow our 3S scheme:

1. Support Ukraine and pro-democracy Russian organisations. One of the most effective ways to help is by donating to the campaigns we share. Right now, we are running a fundraiser to support Meduza, the largest independent Russian-language media outlet. You can find the donation link in the first comment.

2. Stand with political prisoners by writing them letters. A letter may seem like a small gesture, but for those imprisoned for their beliefs, it can be a lifeline – a reminder that they are not forgotten, and that their fight for freedom is not in vain.

3. Stay engaged and connected. Whether through activism, attending events, or just keeping the conversation going – maintaining a strong community is crucial whereas isolation serves authoritarian regimes. Solidarity is our greatest weapon.

Thank you for standing with us.

Yours,
ONRS

22/04/2025

Dear all,

We hope your Easter break involved just the right mix of sunshine and scholarly suffering. Meanwhile, we’ve been busy cooking up a term of events that might just tempt you away from your reading list. Here’s what’s on:

2 May – Post-Mayday Social
In collaboration with the Oxford Psychology Society. Join us at The Royal Oak to recover from your Mayday decisions, rehydrate with something marginally stronger than water, and nurse your existential and actual headaches. Oversharing encouraged. Regret optional.
19:00 | The Royal Oak Pub

15 May – Public Talk: Galina Timchenko
CEO of Meduza, Russia’s biggest independent media outlet. Expect insight, integrity, and possibly quite a few digs at autocrats.
19:00 | Brasenose College

16 May – “Scenes from a Nightmare” by Pavel Otdelnov Opening night of a powerful art exhibition tracing the ruins and reveries of post-Soviet space. Artist in attendance.
18:00 | Wolfson College
(Exhibition runs till 27 June — come back for seconds.)

17–18 May – ONRS at the National What? Where? When? Tournament
Our team, “Oxford Comma,” will be risking it all (reputation, dignity, and snacks) in the UK’s most intense Russian quiz tournament. We believe in them. Mostly.

Mid-Term & End-of-Year Socials – Dates TBC
We’ll gather, celebrate, and reflect — stay tuned for details. Always a good excuse to meet old friends and new faces.

21 June – Public Talk: Ekaterina Schulmann
One of Russia’s sharpest political minds, here to wrap up our term with wit, insight, and a glimpse of what a saner Russian future might look like.
18:30 | St Antony’s College

P.S. At the end of term, we will be electing a new committee for the upcoming academic year. Whether you care deeply about the future of Russian democracy, want to run brilliant events, or simply fancy having access to the ONRS gmail account — drop us a line!

See you soon,
ONRS Team

24/02/2025

Statement of the ONRS on the Third Anniversary of Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine

Dear friends,

We know that everyone is tired of the war, so we will keep this brief. Three years on, with recent developments both on the battlefield and in global politics, it is clear that the Russian regime is not going anywhere soon. For many of us, this means indefinite exile. In these circumstances, it is more important than ever to strengthen connections between the Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian diasporas. ONRS has always been a safe and inclusive space for everyone who stands for democracy and peace, regardless of nationality, race, gender, or background. We welcome all who oppose authoritarianism and believe in human rights, dignity, and freedom.

Today, we urge you to take three simple but vital actions:

1. Support Ukraine and pro-democracy Russian organisations. One of the most effective ways to help is by donating to the campaigns we share. We will continue running fundraising initiatives — please stay tuned and contribute where you can.

2. Write letters to political prisoners. A letter may seem small, but for those unjustly imprisoned for their beliefs, it is a lifeline. It is a reminder that they are not forgotten and that their fight for freedom is not in vain.

3. Stay engaged and connected. Whether through activism, attending events, or simply keeping the conversation going, maintaining a strong community is crucial. Isolation serves authoritarian regimes — solidarity is our greatest weapon.

The struggle is long and exhausting, but together, we remain stronger than fear and despair. Thank you for standing with us.

Yours,
ONRS

18/01/2025

What could Trump’s "peace plan" mean for Ukraine, Russia, and Europe? What does the future hold for Russian political prisoners and the opposition after the change in US administration? Can the exiled opposition consolidate?

As the world anxiously awaits Trump’s inauguration this coming Monday, we delve into these and other pressing questions in the latest episode of Blue Lamp featuring Evgenia Kara-Murza, Advocacy Director at the Free Russia Foundation, a fearless human rights advocate, and the wife of Vladimir Kara-Murza, one of the most prominent opponents of Putin’s regime. She delivered a lecture in Oxford last November.

👉 Link in the first comment
🎥 English subtitles available

Enjoy!

06/01/2025

Support Natalia Taranushenko and Her Family

The Oxford New Russian Society is organising a fundraiser to support Natalia Taranushenko, a 65-year-old Literature teacher from the Moscow region, and her family as they rebuild their lives in France.

In 2022, Natalia courageously condemned the war in Ukraine to her students. A student’s parent reported her, resulting in criminal charges under Russia’s “fake news” law. Initially dismissed, the case was reopened in 2024. Facing a possible 10-year prison sentence, Natalia fled Russia just in time.

Her journey was far from easy. Natalia first sought refuge in Armenia, where she was detained after being placed on an international wanted list. Although Armenia refused to extradite her to Russia, she was unable to leave until recently. After months of uncertainty, she, her daughter Olga, and Olga’s young son secured entry to France, thanks to human rights activists who helped them obtain the necessary documents.

Now in France, the family is in the process of applying for political asylum. However, they face immense challenges adapting to a new country where they don’t speak the language. They urgently need financial support to cover living expenses for the next six months while awaiting asylum and to help them settle and integrate into French society.

💡 Our Goal: Raise £8,300 (€10,000)
These funds will provide a vital lifeline to Natalia and her family during this difficult transition.

⏳ Why Now?
The family fled with no savings and little time to prepare. Their resources are quickly running out, making January 2025 a critical month to raise the funds they need.

Your donation can make a real difference — not just for this family, but as a statement of solidarity with those who risk everything to stand for truth and justice.

🔗 How to Help:
Donate via the link in the first comment and share Natalia’s story to spread the word.

Together, we can ensure Natalia and her family have the support they need to start anew.

Thank you for your generosity. ❤️

01/01/2025

Dear all,

Happy New Year! We hope your celebrations were joyful and you're stepping into 2025 with renewed hope and energy.

As a small New Year's gift, we're excited to share a special festive episode of The Blue Lamp featuring the extraordinary artist Pavel Otdelnov. Pavel joined us at in Oxford last year for an artist talk, and in this episode, he presents his work from 2022–2024. The video includes a lively and thought-provoking interview with Artemii Levkoy, where we explore topics such as the evolution of Pavel's style, the role of trauma in art, and how post Cold War ressentiment shaped contemporary Russia.

This episode offers a deep dive into Pavel's creative journey, examining key exhibitions, powerful series like Abyss and Hands of War, and the artistic methods he uses to reflect on the unsettling realities of our time.

The video is in Russian with English subtitles available. Watch it now on our YouTube channel (link in the first comment), and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments! Stay tuned for more exciting content in the year ahead.

Thank you for your continued support. Here's to a brighter 2025 for us all!

Yours,
ONRS

15/12/2024

We were thrilled to see so many new and familiar faces at our recent event with the wonderful Elena Kostyuchenko. We hope those of you who have already read her book found answers to your questions, and for those who haven’t yet, we hope you’re now inspired to dive in.

The turnout was fantastic, especially given the out-of-term timing, and it was amazing to see such strong interest from you. Your thoughtful questions and feedback made the event truly special and continue to inspire us at the Oxford New Russian Society.

This was our final Blue Lamp event for the term, but we’re already planning something exciting for Hilary. If you’re not yet an ONRS member, now’s a great time to join – just follow the link in our bio.

Even if you’re not in Oxford, we’ll stay in touch throughout the vac, so keep an eye out for updates.

Yours,
ONRS

17/11/2024

What an unforgettable evening with Roma Liberov! 📚✨

Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the discussion!

Swipe through for highlights from the night, and stay tuned for more exciting events coming your way! 💙

10/11/2024

Hey everyone!
Join us for a Game Night Social!

When: 16th of November, 6pm
Where: St Antony's College Buttery

We’ll be playing "What? Where? When?" — a classic Russian game — along with "Mafia", so get ready for some friendly competition. It’s the perfect chance to relax, have fun, and connect with others. See you there!

Yours,
ONRS

Oxford New Russian Society

30/05/2026

24/02/2026

22/04/2025

24/02/2025

18/01/2025

06/01/2025

01/01/2025

15/12/2024

17/11/2024

10/11/2024

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organisation

Shortcuts

Share

Category