Today is my birthday. And when I woke up this morning, I joked to myself that I could now add the punishment cell (SHIZO, a Russian prison solitary confinement unit) to the list of places where I’ve celebrated a birthday. Then, like people who have reached a certain age—and today I’m 47, unbelievable—I thought about what I’d accomplished over the past year and my plans for the next one. My achievements are modest, and the best summary of them came the other day from the psychologist at our penal colony. Before they put you in the punishment cell, you’re examined by a medical worker (to see whether you can physically endure it) and a psychologist (to see whether you’re likely to hang yourself). So after our meeting, the psychologist said: this is the 16th time we’ve put you in SHIZO, and your mood is much better than that of the commission members. That’s really true, but on your birthday you have to be honest with yourself, so I asked myself: am I really in a good mood, or am I making myself seem that way? My answer: I really am. Of course, I’d rather not be waking up in this kennel right now, but having breakfast with my family, getting kisses on the cheek from my children, unwrapping presents, and saying: wow, this is exactly what I dreamed of. But life works in such a way that social progress and a better future are achieved only if some number of people are willing to pay for their right to have convictions. The more such people there are, the smaller the price each one has to pay. And the day will definitely come when telling the truth and standing up for justice in Russia becomes something ordinary and completely safe. But until that day comes, I don’t see my situation as a heavy burden, just as work. Every job has an unpleasant part, right? Well, this is the unpleasant part of the work I love. My plan for the past year was not to become brutalized, not to grow bitter, and not to lose my ease of manner—because that’s where defeat begins. And if I’ve managed anything at all, it’s only thanks to your support. As always, on my birthday I want to thank all the people I’ve met in my life. The good ones—for helping me and continuing to help me. The not-so-good ones—for teaching me something through the experience of dealing with them. Thank you to my family for always being with me! But my biggest thanks and warmest greetings today go to all political prisoners in Russia, Belarus, and other countries. Most of them have it much harder than I do. I think about them constantly. Their resilience inspires me every day.