Next Sunday (8 September), the protest against Putin's homosexual hate campaign will enter the next round. After the successful "Enough is Enough" demo, it is now called "To Russia With Love". The Global Kiss-In is celebrated in many cities around the world at 3 pm. We spoke to the two inventors and organisers of the event. Interview Tim Schomann.
Is it true that you two - independently of each other - had the same idea for a kiss-in in front of Russian embassies?
Norbert: Yes, that's right. We planned both kiss-ins. But on different days. At some point, drag queen Gloria Viagra asked me if it was the same event. I then approached Florian on Facebook and from then on we combined the events and planned them together.
The kiss-in will not only take place in Berlin. It will take place in front of many Russian embassies and consulates around the world. How many cities will be taking part?
Florian: Over 50 cities have taken part so far. We organised it ourselves for Berlin. New York, Paris and Vienna joined right at the beginning. Then London, Tel Aviv and Rio. Vilnius in Lithuania, for example, will also be taking part. You can see all events on our Facebook page. The first to kiss will probably be the Australians in Sydney.
Norbert: On Facebook, however, there are of course very different levels of participation. Sometimes there are thousands, like in New York, sometimes just under a hundred. But that doesn't matter. If somewhere in the world there are perhaps only 10 kissing couples in front of a Russian embassy, then these are also great pictures that make a clear statement.
How do you organise the whole thing?
Florian: We mainly communicate via Facebook. We also wrote to other cities and organisers there. Many simply joined on their own initiative and posted their kiss-ins with us. So the principle is very simple. It's not really a big deal. If you want to take part, you can publicise the event via our platform, you can also use our logos and so on. It's actually something like a do-it-yourself demo.
Norbert: That's right. Everyone should do it the way they want. We don't dictate anything. We have only organised the common time and date.
What exactly will happen on Sunday at 3pm sharp in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin?
Norbert: Well, first of all we make out for all we're worth.
Florian: Oh, and by the way: if you don't have a kissing partner, you can still come. Besides, maybe you'll find someone spontaneously and something completely new will come out of it (laughs).
Norbert: Afterwards, there will be a short programme hosted by Gloria Viagra. We are really pleased that Romy Haag has agreed to sing. She was immediately enthusiastic. And the band Peaches will be performing. They didn't hesitate for a minute either.
What is your specific demand?
Florian: We are not demanding anything. We are showing solidarity.
Norbert: We show Russian lesbians and gays that we are there, that we think of them and support them.
Do you think it will be a successful event?
Norbert: At 3 pm sharp, people all over the world will kiss in front of many Russian embassies, showing that love cannot be forbidden. I hope they will be great, powerful images. And I'm sure Putin will see them too.
