Photo by Photo by Timofeeva Lenka

This weekend, Hatari traveled to Moscow to perform in their most unpredictable show to date. The Icelandic group took with them some costumes and ideas that could’ve been very dangerous, with a very clear display of LGBTQIA+* pride in one of their props: a huge pair of rainbow wings.

Solidarity is the flag

Russia has had a ban on LGBTQIA+ “propaganda” since 2013, and Russian queer citizens have been hunted and tortured. The dancer, Andrean Sigurgeirsson, was set on taking a clear stand on this matter. He admits to Fréttablaðið that he was fearful for his life.

Hatari’s fondness for the right flags has caused them trouble in the past. They made international headlines when they raised the Palestinian flag in the Eurovision finale.

The band’s performance in Moscow was followed by numerous messages from young queer people in Russia. When they were booked to perform in Russia, the dancer knew he had to do something special.

Fear becomes love

Andrean was inspired by a drag performance when imagining the giant pair of rainbow wings he brought on stage. The building of the colourful prop was made in Iceland by the seamstress Alexia Rose.

“I was scared for my life all the time,” the artist admitted. They first had to get the wings through the airport’s authorities, but after getting their luggage cleared, they still felt they weren’t safe. Andrea says this fear became love when they first entered the venue. The wings were displayed during the performance of “Hatrið mun sigra”, and caused a wave of excitement in the crowd.

Check Andrean’s Instagram post on the subject, here.