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This Is What Russia Really Looks Like: 30 Honest And Bizarre Photos By Aleksandr Petrosyan
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
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#1
Brian Yurochko 5 years ago
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....
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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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.
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.
#8
Joyce Deering 5 years ago
Neither one looks very happy. But! Does everyone smile when looking out the window? Of course not. Just wonderin'.
#14
M O'Connell 5 years ago (edited)
It takes that many soldiers to defend against Carmen Sandiego?
#23
WilvanderHeijden 5 years ago
When women ignore you even when you brought your tank with you....
#27
#34
Beatriz Miranda 5 years ago
looks like the house from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" but bigger.
#35
Joyce Deering 5 years ago
Careful...the authorities may arrest and detain him for showing us (U.S.) a 'distorted' and 'unflattering' likeness of Putin.
#36
Gosiulka Bloem 5 years ago
Why can't we all go back to dressing like these ladies on the right?
#38
#41
Sasha Kuleshov 5 years ago
"The monument to aviation is swell and all that but sometimes it rattles like hell"
#45
Final score:
25points
#53
Scott Brynildsen 5 years ago
Or the guy fell and the other guy is looking around for assistance.
#56
#58
Nat Monzo 5 years ago
For those confused: The shadow is a Lenin statue (that usually is pointing), pointing to a sign that says "Store", and the man is coming out with a bottle of booze. I believe the picture is a social commentary on what Russia has become since the fall of communism. Also, and this might just be me, but the shadow looks like it is doing the Nazi salute, which is also a social commentary on the oppressive fascist like regime.
#61
F. H. 5 years ago
A Russian once told me a joke about the mostly criminal noveau riche Russians of the 1990s, the so called New Russians: A New Russian walks into a jewelery store and asks for a big solid gold cross to hang around his neck. Everything the owner shows him is too small. So he gets him a giant golden crucifix that used to decorate a church in town. The New Russian takes a good look at thing and says: "Yeah, that's kind of a nice size. But take that half naked athlete off! He looks kind of gay."
#64
#83
Baron Simone Von Bianco 5 years ago
"Hey honey, here is a nice spot for our wedding pictures! I'm going to sit down next those charming young drug dealers".
#84
Baron Simone Von Bianco 5 years ago
Literally feel the sense of shame she has for being photographed. Would be the same for me, if I don't want to show where I live if it is such a crappy house. Just hope this isn't one of these "camp kitchens" of the communes hiding in Moscow's abandoned subway stations. Too many people are forced to live there, even if it sounds so unbelievable.
#90
Joyce Deering 5 years ago
A seven foot tall ex-KGB man calling in a tip, with his constant companion. The dog looks a bit shady too. lol
#92
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What do you think ?
Анастасия Миронова 5 years ago
And as one famous Russian vodka commercial says, "Russia can't be understood with the mind." - these are words by Tyutchev actually, a famous Russian classical poetist, not a vodka commercial...
Wubbleyew 5 years ago (edited)
Why do people assume someone in a candid photo who is not smiling has a terrible life? I for one know I don't walk around all day every day with a huge grin on my face. For all we know they could be perfectly happy. Thats racial profiling, making assumptions based on your own pre conceptions of a country or culture.
Rae of sun 5 years ago
Really brilliant compositions and moments captured 😁would have liked more with better quality though
Михаил Грибков 5 years ago (edited)
Fascinating! Alexander is a genius. Although at least 4 pictures (41, 72, 84, 92) are definitely not from Russia. As well as most probably 34, 40, 59, 81.
Alex Bailey 5 years ago
The positions of the photos will change as they get voted up or down by people...
Load More Replies...
Andrey Shapovalenko 5 years ago
Take the ugliest pictures and say this is true Russia? No, it is not
Tiny Dynamine 5 years ago
At least in a few of them, it's good to see some people having a good time. It must be horrible living in a country that has almost constantly been ruled by tyrannical leaders, with its countless political prisoners and not being able to trust anyone. I can't imagine there has ever been a truly good period for the Russian people.
Chris Watson 5 years ago
Are you selling any prints? I love Number 15. Red coat and the troops
иван ющенко 5 years ago
Actually Churchill said in October 1939: "I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma: but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest. It cannot be in accordance with the interest or the safety of Russia that Germany should plant itself upon the shores of the Black Sea, or that it should overrun the Balkan States and subjugate the Slavonic peoples of South and Eastern Europe. That would be contrary to the historic life-interests of Russia" Which clearly means that he considered Stalin's actions a secret not Russia as such
Nat Monzo 5 years ago
I love the social commentary. He was able to capture the sadness that is Russia today.
Helen Haley 5 years ago
For almost all countries, you see everyday pictures and you can see or figure out what is going on. Then there is russia. What is going on here?
Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
Enjoyed these immensely. I'm just wondering though, Panda, why this wasn't titled; Bizarre photos of Russia that foreigners find weird.
Анастасия Миронова 5 years ago
And as one famous Russian vodka commercial says, "Russia can't be understood with the mind." - these are words by Tyutchev actually, a famous Russian classical poetist, not a vodka commercial...
Wubbleyew 5 years ago (edited)
Why do people assume someone in a candid photo who is not smiling has a terrible life? I for one know I don't walk around all day every day with a huge grin on my face. For all we know they could be perfectly happy. Thats racial profiling, making assumptions based on your own pre conceptions of a country or culture.
Rae of sun 5 years ago
Really brilliant compositions and moments captured 😁would have liked more with better quality though
Михаил Грибков 5 years ago (edited)
Fascinating! Alexander is a genius. Although at least 4 pictures (41, 72, 84, 92) are definitely not from Russia. As well as most probably 34, 40, 59, 81.
Alex Bailey 5 years ago
The positions of the photos will change as they get voted up or down by people...
Load More Replies... Andrey Shapovalenko 5 years ago
Take the ugliest pictures and say this is true Russia? No, it is not
Tiny Dynamine 5 years ago
At least in a few of them, it's good to see some people having a good time. It must be horrible living in a country that has almost constantly been ruled by tyrannical leaders, with its countless political prisoners and not being able to trust anyone. I can't imagine there has ever been a truly good period for the Russian people.
Chris Watson 5 years ago
Are you selling any prints? I love Number 15. Red coat and the troops
иван ющенко 5 years ago
Actually Churchill said in October 1939: "I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma: but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest. It cannot be in accordance with the interest or the safety of Russia that Germany should plant itself upon the shores of the Black Sea, or that it should overrun the Balkan States and subjugate the Slavonic peoples of South and Eastern Europe. That would be contrary to the historic life-interests of Russia" Which clearly means that he considered Stalin's actions a secret not Russia as such
Nat Monzo 5 years ago
I love the social commentary. He was able to capture the sadness that is Russia today.
Helen Haley 5 years ago
For almost all countries, you see everyday pictures and you can see or figure out what is going on. Then there is russia. What is going on here?
Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
Enjoyed these immensely. I'm just wondering though, Panda, why this wasn't titled; Bizarre photos of Russia that foreigners find weird.
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