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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.
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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.
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.
Neither one looks very happy. But! Does everyone smile when looking out the window? Of course not. Just wonderin'.
I don’t think he looks unhappy, he’s just not making a happy face for the picture.
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That must have been a beautiful house once. The detail of the window frame is just lovely.
I was hoping I wasn’t the only one who was looking at that beautiful woodwork!
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Both are wondering what the heck is that person doing taking a picture of their house.
This is a story. First you see the man and dog. He is protecting the dog and the dog is protecting him. See this hands and the fact the dog is in front. Both faces could be read a variety of ways. Next, notice the spray insulated foam applied without precision to keep out the cold juxtaposed with the beautifully ornate surround. Upon further inspection you see some pieces are missing, it's weather's and cracked, the window sill has rotted and completely fallen off. That replacement window is actually a hodgepodge of pieces painted poorly without even caring to scrape the excess paint off the glass. There are cobwebs in the corner and the foliage is dead. What is the story of this man and his dog? About the history of this house and how things came to be this way? All intentional I'm sure. This artist is amazing.
The subject is the man and dog, true but the window frame is absolutely gorgeous.
It takes that many soldiers to defend against Carmen Sandiego?
When women ignore you even when you brought your tank with you....
Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
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...
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.
Really brilliant compositions and moments captured 😁would have liked more with better quality though
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.
The positions of the photos will change as they get voted up or down by people...
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Take the ugliest pictures and say this is true Russia? No, it is not
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.
Are you selling any prints? I love Number 15. Red coat and the troops
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
I love the social commentary. He was able to capture the sadness that is Russia today.
Russia defending its independence: oh, those monsters who eat pigeons alive! Russia ready to sell all its neighbors to you: "real Russia", see they cry just like our puppies and crowd in the bus stations like our blacks... They are also humans, after all.
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?
Enjoyed these immensely. I'm just wondering though, Panda, why this wasn't titled; Bizarre photos of Russia that foreigners find weird.
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...
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.
Really brilliant compositions and moments captured 😁would have liked more with better quality though
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.
The positions of the photos will change as they get voted up or down by people...
Load More Replies... Take the ugliest pictures and say this is true Russia? No, it is not
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.
Are you selling any prints? I love Number 15. Red coat and the troops
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
I love the social commentary. He was able to capture the sadness that is Russia today.
Russia defending its independence: oh, those monsters who eat pigeons alive! Russia ready to sell all its neighbors to you: "real Russia", see they cry just like our puppies and crowd in the bus stations like our blacks... They are also humans, after all.
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?
Enjoyed these immensely. I'm just wondering though, Panda, why this wasn't titled; Bizarre photos of Russia that foreigners find weird.
