Interview with Ilja Lagutenko — worldculture.se

Interview with Ilja Lagutenko, the lead vocalist in MUMIY TROLL

The exhibition includes the music video «Eto po ljubvi» (Because of Love) by the Russian band Mumiy Troll.

«Ilia Lagutenko, the lead vocalist in the group Mumiy Troll, has during the last years been active in the struggle with AIDS and safe sex. He was the spokesperson for the campaign „Take it With You“ (Vozmi s saboj), a condom campaign organized by PSI Russia. He also held numerous press conferences and received immense media coverage as the first Russian pop star to be active in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

From being labelled as one of the most socially dangerous bands in the world and publically banned by the Russian regime, Mumiy Troll today are considered as National heroes. The name of the band — Mumiy Troll — is an inspiration from the Finish writer Tove Jansson`s book „Mumintrollet“. It` a suitable name, says Lagutenko, since Finland is located between East and West.

Ase Bruun, Scandinaviens Mumiy Troll Fan club

Ilya, you seem to be the most knowledgeable Russian artist when it comes to the AIDS-situation in Russia?
„Yes, thats how it works: when you investigate a matter further, you will always learn more things. Thanks to the project „Bring it yourself“/“Vozmi s soboy“ http://www.vozmissoboi.ru/ which is acting to prevent AIDS amongst youths, I learned a lot of things I didnt know before.»

And how much has now your attitude towards the problem changed, if at all?
«Firstly, I began looking differently at the scope of the AIDS epidemic. I no longer felt that it was somewhere „over there“, that it was far from us and had no significance to our lives. In reality, the problem affects us in a very concrete way. I was struck by the official statistics that showed 225 000 registered HIV people. The real number is probably several times higher, but this is very difficult to measure. In time we will know the truth. In 5–7 years, the HIV-infected will develop AIDS. Then we will get the facts.

But right now, people dont count AIDS as a real personal threat. Lately, the awareness has even decreased, because Muscovite and regional press are starting to signal out that HIV-infection and AIDS do not exist at all. Before, when there was very little knowledge about AIDS, this was a popular view. But now, when more than 20 million people all over the world have died of it, it is simply ridiculous to just talk abut it.

Also, the press, probably unconsciously, frequently supports the myth that AIDS is an illness of gays, prostitutes and drug addicts. At this time, these are the most affected groups, but one must not forget the fact that the number of HIV infected is increasing steadily in Russia through sexual contacts in general. If we dont start discussing this in the open, but keep to shame and silence, then people will keep believe theres no danger. «

But werent you then afraid that your own image might be damaged by your devotion to this cause?
„I was confident that my fans and the youth in my country are ready to embrace such information. And I was right! The overwhelming majority among Mumiy Troll fans, are progressive thinkers, aspiring to a better lifestyle, they are not rigid, but open to new ideas and ideals. In my engagement in the anti-AIDS struggle, I have not received any negative response what so ever. On the contrary, when I visited the forum on www.vozmisssoboj.ru, people freely told me how this problem is affecting their lives, and they told me that youths get very little information about AIDS and have insufficient means to find information about it on their own. Both our young fans and their parents often write to us on our website www.mumiytroll.com. They write about not only about the music, but also about other aspects of life. And there is a lot of communication going on also in our international fan clubs, in other languages. So, to answer your question: No, my image has not taken any blows because of Mumiy Troll working against AIDS. It is absolutely the contrary.“

Translation from Russian: Asja Grzibovska
Revision: Ase Bruun, Scandinavian Mumiy Troll Fan club