Galkin's Rider Now Includes Pirozhki, Meat Platters and Berry Mors
Maxim Galkin, the singer and television host who left Russia and was later declared a foreign agent, has adjusted his technical and hospitality rider for concerts outside the country, inserting a list of distinctly Russian dishes. Documents reported by RIA Novosti on 8 August show the entertainer expects backstage catering that includes pirozhki stuffed with meat, potato or cabbage, four types of cold platters (fruit, cheese, beef tongue, and a separate meat board), hot dishes, and a litre of natural berry mors.
The updated rider also specifies condiments: mustard and horseradish. For dessert, Galkin wants kurabye shortbread cookies and a bottle of white semi-sweet wine. Beyond food, he lists a new shoe mat, a Dyson Airwrap hair styler, a pack of medical face masks, and a fresh cognac glass.
Travel and accommodation demands are equally precise. The hosting party must cover four tickets—two in first class—for Galkin and his team members. Upon arrival, they must be met by security staff and porters. Accommodation is to be "in the best hotel in town," no less than five stars. The rider contains around a dozen additional clauses, and Galkin reserves the right to cancel the performance if any are violated.
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The choice of pirozhki, berry mors and traditional condiments like horseradish is not accidental for a performer who has been living abroad since leaving Russia. While many international artists use riders to guarantee comfort and efficiency, Galkin's updated list adds a layer of cultural nostalgia. By demanding food prepared to a recognisably Russian standard, he is reinforcing a connection to his origins—a move that might resonate with diaspora audiences but runs counter to the political narrative frequently attached to him by Russian state media.
The rider news arrives against a backdrop of intensifying legal and political pressure. Russian authorities have accused Galkin of spreading "anti-Russian ideas" during his overseas shows, and the country's parliament has passed legislation that would strip foreign agents like him of the right to register as entrepreneurs or access consular services remotely. In that context, a dish of beef tongue and a bottle of semi-sweet wine can be read as a quiet, personal insistence on identity rather than a simple catering preference. Still, the demands are the standard backstage language of a touring star—just with a distinctly Russian flavour.
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