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Winston Churchill once said that "Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." Experiencing Russia is like experiencing magical realism—to the observer, everything seems as real as real can be, and at the same time, something's a bit odd, out of place, or straight up bizarre. Russia holds so many contrasting, vivid lives in it that it's no wonder why actually seeing them is so mesmerizing. And as one famous Russian vodka commercial says, "Russia can't be understood with the mind."

Aleksandr Petrosyan, the invisible hero of today's story, is the chronicler of these colorful people. He lives in Sankt Peterburg (Peter, as the locals call it), Russia's second-biggest city, and has accumulated quite an impressive archive of the city's unique people and situations. The photographer likes to capture as many different people as possible in a single frame, creating something that could somewhat represent the diverse Russian experience.

More info: aleksandrpetrosyan.com | Instagram | Facebook

#1

This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Brian Yurochko
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This man is the last surviving member of his WWII company... and he just found out before the parade. I can only guess the memories flooding in his mind right now....

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Petrosyan got his first camera as a birthday gift when he was 12; he quit and came back a few times until he became a full-fledged professional in 2000. His biggest inspiration comes from the source of his pictures, Saint Petersburg itself, where he has lived his whole life and which he knows by heart. "This is my world," he says.

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Finch
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Morning beautiful morning. He's looks like he's showing respect to its glory with a slight bow.

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And he doesn't fret that his photos won't be understood that well outside the local context. "Perception depends on many different factors," he says. "But if the picture is taken with a certain energy, the viewer will feel it, regardless of geography and culture." And indeed, they're well understood and appreciated by thousands of people across the world.

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Finch
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It almost looks animated as she walks in the rain. Love the golden hue.

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This post is a perfect opportunity for you to dust off and refresh your "Meanwhile in Russia" folder. And if you like to keep your Russian memes fresh, or just want to experience more of Russia, make sure you follow this chronicler of the bizarrely amusing Russian reality. And if you missed the previous post on Bored Panda, don't worry, we've got you covered. And now, without further ado, let's delve into the enigmatic, bizarre, and completely real everyday life of Russian people.

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#7

This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Finch
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The colors of those balloons is so gorgeous with the pale background. His smiling face reflects the infectious happiness from carrying those same balloons.

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Joyce Deering
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Neither one looks very happy. But! Does everyone smile when looking out the window? Of course not. Just wonderin'.

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Finch
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like wearing a warm blanket just looking at this pic.

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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M O'Connell
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It takes that many soldiers to defend against Carmen Sandiego?

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Finch
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such an intriguing contrast of how one moment in time can mean different things for different people.

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Finch
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now with more people it looks reminiscent of a zombie movie scene.

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Robin Syr
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is so interesting that nobody in each of the three groups seems to have any connection to the people in the other groups

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Cuddles
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it was someone who had fallen down at first. LOL

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Garrincha
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It might be Friday prayers that must be done in congregation. Often mosques don't have enough space for so many Muslims.

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Joyce Deering
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fact the Russians hate f***y packs. This is a raid on a street in Moscow. If fact, I made that up. =P

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Garrincha
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why did my comment get deleted lol. Soon as a pic with Muslims comes up people are making jokes. Any other pic and loads of positive comments. Shows people's prejudices

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Dorothy Parker
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was told to stop commenting so fast on a different thread. I'd looked at all the images and went back to comment.

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Finch
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3 years ago

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Rodey Hamza Hamzah
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are praying and if it's Friday, they are performing Friday prayer...they are performing it on the streets maybe because the mosque cannot accommodate the number of people.

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Rodey Hamza Hamzah
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are praying and if it's Friday, they are performing Friday prayer...they are performing it on the streets maybe because the mosque cannot accommodate the number of people.

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Jana May
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He must be very scary if he can get that many people on their knees at once!

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Christel Nellemann
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, anyone in a uniform looks at the photographer like that it seems

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NAS
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There isn't freedom of religion in Russia. There are people being jailed & beaten for their faith, even though they are law abiding citizens.

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LKreger Kreegs
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get the same kind of look from people in NYC when you take their picture on the street LOL

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Chris Watson
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are everywhere. In every country now. Think back to 30 years ago. Never heard of em. Now? Mass invasion

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Garrincha
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup nearly 2 billion Chris 😂 😂 going to continue to grow more and more people are converting to Islam. Must really get on your nerves that you can't do anything about it hehe

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Tanya Tuttle
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A gathering of the Russian Plumbers Union?? Hope they all try to stand up at the same time.

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Garrincha
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3 years ago

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Usually positive comments in most pics but as soon as people see a pic of Muslims in a congregational prayer its joke time, shows people's prejudices always come out when it comes to Muslims. Well fastest growing religion 1.7b currently and growing fast. Must really annoy people 😂 😂

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This Photographer Captures Everyday Life In Russia In Sincere Photographs (New Pics)

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Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.