CBC Radio | The Current

The Current for November 08, 2006

Part 3

Siberian Beauty Pageant

Well some people are calling it Miss Gulag. It's a beauty pageant in one of the most unusual places -- at a women's penal camp in Siberia. It's not a cruel joke. In fact, it's an annual contest, called Miss Spring, where female prisoners compete... fully decked out in over-the-top formal wear with Russian pop music playing in the background.

And for some of the one thousand women held there for drug possession to murder... a good showing could mean more than just a boost to the ego. The winner gets a gold star on their record, and possibly - a chance at early parole.

We heard from contestant Natalya Khapova, in Miss Spring, a beauty pageant at a Siberian women's prison camp called UF-91/9. She was in an interview - as she prepares for the competition. Perched on a pedestal, in a pink ball gown, she explained why a prison pageant is a good idea.

For documentary maker Maria Yatskova, this pageant is more than just a beauty contest... it's a symbol for how women have fared in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. She has visited the Siberian prison and is the director of a documentary called Miss Gulag to be released early next year. She joined us from New York City.

Click arrow to play interview (14 min.)





The Current for November 08, 2006 Part 3 Siberian Beauty Pageant Well some people are calling it Miss Gulag. It's a beauty pageant in one of the most unusual places -- at a women's penal camp in Siberia. It's not a cruel joke. In fact, it's an annual contest, called Miss Spring, where female prisoners compete... fully decked out in over-the-top formal wear with Russian pop music playing in the background. And for some of the one thousand women held there for drug possession to murder... a good showing could mean more than just a boost to the ego. The winner gets a gold star on their record, and possibly - a chance at early parole. We heard from contestant Natalya Khapova, in Miss Spring, a beauty pageant at a Siberian women's prison camp called UF-91/9. She was in an interview - as she prepares for the competition. Perched on a pedestal, in a pink ball gown, she explained why a prison pageant is a good idea. For documentary maker Maria Yatskova, this pageant is more than just a beauty contest... it's a symbol for how women have fared in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. She has visited the Siberian prison and is the director of a documentary called Miss Gulag to be released early next year. She joined us from New York City. Click arrow to play interview (14 min.)