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

Careful...the authorities may arrest and detain him for showing us (U.S.) a 'distorted' and 'unflattering' likeness of Putin.

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

The internet would be pretty boring if it weren't for Russia.

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

"The monument to aviation is swell and all that but sometimes it rattles like hell"

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

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.

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F. H.
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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."

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

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 he could be perfectly happy

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

I see many old ladies (babushkas) that look exactly like this in my country as well... they've spent most of their lives under the communist regime, and now they feel like they don't fit into the modern world.

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Baron Simone Von Bianco
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Hey honey, here is a nice spot for our wedding pictures! I'm going to sit down next those charming young drug dealers".

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Baron Simone Von Bianco
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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

A seven foot tall ex-KGB man calling in a tip, with his constant companion. The dog looks a bit shady too. lol

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

A few hands over the heart could spell something patriotic happening perhaps?

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

Some of their people are very tall. Must be an inherited trait. =)

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

A bit of irony with the lady in the far left corner almost mimicking the same pose as the tattoo on his back.

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