Vestochka: Correspondence with political prisoners in Russia

OVD-Info's Vestochka project enables correspondence with people imprisoned in Russia for political reasons. Its postbox at Reforum Space Berlin contains real letters from political prisoners, translated into English, alongside information about their persecution. 

Visitors can obtain an envelope by inserting a free token into the postbox. Each envelope contains a letter and instructions for sending a reply through Vestochka. It is possible to reply to the author of the letter or write to another political prisoner. The service is free: the Vestochka team translates and sends letters written in any language. 

The installation offers an introduction to individual experiences of political repression in Russia and a way to establish contact with people in prison. The English translations make the letters and their authors’ stories accessible to visitors who do not speak Russian. 

The postbox is accessible throughout Berlin Freedom Week, 7–14 November 2026, on weekdays from 11:00 to 19:00 and during events at Reforum Space Berlin (see all events in the Berlin Freedom Week program). 

Admission and use of the postbox are free. No registration is required.

Languages:
Letters and information about their authors’ persecution: English.
Letters of support can be written in any language; the Vestochka team provides translation.

Location:
Reforum Space Berlin
Wiener Straße 31
10999 Berlin

The venue is not barrier-free.