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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

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

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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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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

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

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