Graduation Year

2024

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Russian and East European Studies

Reader 1

Larissa Rudova

Reader 2

Liana Battsaligova

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© 2023 Carolina A. Gutierrez-Tunstad

Abstract

The concept of “Russian drag” seems like a paradox- how can this distinctly queer art form exist in a country with such draconian laws against queer people? Yet drag has existed in Russia for more than a century, and in the post-Soviet era, there are more drag queens in Russia than ever before. Operating through Judith Butler’s conception of the performance of gender, this paper examines the phenomenon of drag in Russia, as well as the unique “Russian” aesthetic of drag, and the influence of American pop culture and drag on Russia. Verka Serduchka, a drag queen of Ukrainian origin, acts as a case study for the aesthetics of drag queens who are successful in Russia and the post-Soviet world at large.

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