Russia, uncovered!
- Kaisern Chen
- Jan 24, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 20, 2024
Winston Churchill once famously remarked, "Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." This notion reflects a common perception many people hold about Russia and its people, at least up until 2015.
Russia is a vast wonderland, encompassing nearly one-eighth of the Earth's landmass. If we exclude Antarctica, Russia accounts for roughly one-sixth of the planet's total area. Logically, if it had a population proportionate to its size, it would boast around 1.2 billion inhabitants. Yet, it has only about 144.5 million people.
Given that this enormous country covers much of the northern half of the Eurasian continent, with much of its territory situated above the 50th parallel—where subarctic and arctic climates prevail—the relatively low population density suggests that Russians possess tremendous resilience and warmth to thrive in such conditions. Based on my own experiences, especially with my many dear Russian friends, I can confidently say that they indeed have big, warm hearts that draw me back time and time again.
This blog serves as a tribute to Russia, featuring a collection of images I have taken since 2015, arranged in no particular order.
To start, I would like to echo the sentiments of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to fly in space in 1963, who once said, "If women can be railroad workers in Russia, why can't they fly in space?" This statement embodies the true spirit of Russia, showcasing the strength of both women and men.
I also want to extend my gratitude to Yury Chernyh and Oleg Ivanov, two remarkable Russians who have shown immense love for their country and land—and who have earned my deepest respect as friends. They opened my eyes to the real Russia, beginning in its picturesque villages.
As the first Pulitzer Prize winner in Fiction, Ernest Poole, a distinguished journalist, observed in his empathetic reports on revolutionary Russia during the upheaval of 1905 and the 1917 Revolution: "All the real things in Russia are done in the villages."
Indeed, many of my photographs reflect this sentiment, capturing the authentic essence of Russia.
Epiphany rites - This man takes a dip in the icy river water of Volga to celebrate Epiphany, a major holiday in Orthodox Christianity marking the birth and baptism of Jesus.
He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.
~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Happy is he who does not notice whether summer is now or winter.
~ Anton Chekhov
The soul is healed by being with children.
~ Fyodor Dostoevsky
“Music is more potent instrument than any other for education, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” ~ Plato
"Chess is everything; art, science, and sport"
~ Anatoly Karpov
The man!
Washing up in the banya is like being born again.
~ Russian proverb
Chacha, a clear and strong home brew Georgian pomace brandy also called "vine vodka".
I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol taken out of me.
~ Winston Churchill
We lost because we told ourselves we lost.
~ Leo Tolstoy
"My favorite journey is looking out the window."
~ Edward Gorey
“I didn't want to kiss you goodbye — that was the trouble — I wanted to kiss you good night — and there's a lot of difference.”
~ Ernest Hemingway
In the kingdom of hope, there is no winter.
~ Russia Proverb
Winter is cold for those who do not have warm memories.
~" An Unforgettable Romance"
You cannot visit Rybinsk and not to fall in love with the the city!
"Heavenly bodies are nests of invisible birds."
~ Dejan Stojanovic
Nothing in this world compares to the comfort and security of having someone just hold your hand.
~ Richelle E. Goodrich
Snow and cold weather will not stop the Russian, even the small boys!
The landscape of the Russian soul corresponds with the landscape of Russia.
~ Nikolai Berdyaev
Moments after the capture of the last image, we were invited into Valentina's house and served each of us hot tea. Valentina, 89, sat by the window in good spirit!
"There is more light than can be seen through a window." ~ Russian proverb
"You probably think that my future landscapes will be soaked in pessimism, so to speak? Don't worry, I love nature too much."
~ Isaac Levitan
What a pleasure to photograph around St. Petersburg with two great friends, and great photographers, the iconic Steve McCurry and Yury Chernyh (also the greatest host I could ever ask for), and a bit of whiskey. ~ August 2018
Rybinsk is a small but well functioning city with just everything like a larger city. I was roaming on the streets and sneaked into a building to find a studio on the second floor with the door half-opened; I entered uninvited, with my camera. The girl inside the studio had questions on her face, but she was friendly, like most Russian.
I command no Russian and tried to explain to her that I am a traveler and made the gesture that I would like to take a picture of her, not knowing if she was the photographer at the studio or worked there.
Then I took her picture!
In the past two hundred years, Russian people have seen changes of regimes and leaders, sometimes prefer one over another.
However, into the quiet hours after dinner, Alexander Pushkin owns their heart and soul, which has never changed.
"... there are only two things that really matter in life. Literature and love."
~ Daphne Kolotay
"Nothing is so necessary for a young man as the company of intelligent women."
~ Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
The musician Вероника Буталина, I met back in August 2018, we stay in contact, became the hostess on my return to Yaroslavl City a year later. A lovely young Russian lady, nice and beautiful beyond the camera capable of capturing!
Since the 11th century, Slavic people were pagan, but after Duke Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko (Red Sun) decided to become Christian, he immediately baptized the entire population, sometimes even using force. Afterwards, somehow Russian people fell in love with Orthodox Christianity and its respective rituals have become an inspiration to them.
You can't not to fall in love with Russia if you are a photographer!
You can't not to fall in love with Russian if you are a man!
Those who routinely commute by bus, always see outside of the window as if they will see something new.
There are people who see nothing new every day, there are people who discover something new every day.
C'est la vie!
A lucky man can stumble upon a treasure while an unlucky one can't even find a mushroom.
~ Russian proverb
Continue reading : Russia, through my lens!
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