Russia

Vintage: New Year’s Eve in Soviet Russia

Vintage: New Year’s Eve in Soviet Russia

During the Soviet period, religious celebrations were discouraged by the official state policy of atheism. Christmas tree and related celebrations were gradually eradicated after the October Revolution. In 1935, in a surprising turn of state politics, the Christmas tradition was adopted as part of the secular New Year celebration.
Historic B&W photos of Moscow, Russia in the 19th Century

Historic B&W photos of Moscow, Russia in the 19th Century

In the 1830s, general Alexander Bashilov planned the first regular grid of city streets north from Petrovsky Palace. Khodynka field south of the highway was used for military training. Smolensky Rail station (forerunner of present-day Belorussky Rail Terminal) was inaugurated in 1870. Sokolniki Park, in the 18th century the home of the tsar’s falconers well outside of Moscow, became contiguous…
Vintage: Russian Peasants and Their Craft Jobs (early 20th century)

Vintage: Russian Peasants and Their Craft Jobs (early 20th century)

Sometimes now you might hear the word “artisan” which often said to make things look skillfully  made and good. However hundred something years ago all over the world things mainly were “artisan” – made by local craftsman. If we know some traditional craftsmen of the West and their craft survived till our days (this is what they sell as “artisan” now) the…
Historic B&W photos of Kiev, Russia (Ukraine) in the 19th Century

Historic B&W photos of Kiev, Russia (Ukraine) in the 19th Century

During the Russian industrial revolution in the late 19th century, Kiev became an important trade and transportation centre of the Russian Empire, specialising in sugar and grain export by railway and on the Dnieper river. By 1900, the city had also become a significant industrial centre, having a population of 250,000. Landmarks of that period include the railway infrastructure, the…
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century

Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century

During many centuries of war and changes of power in the Baltic, and despite demographic changes, the Baltic Germans in Riga had maintained a dominant position. By 1867 Riga’s population was 42.9% German. Riga employed German as its official language of administration until the installation of Russian in 1891 as the official language in the Baltic provinces, as part of…
Historic B&W photos of St. Petersburg, Russia in the 19th Century

Historic B&W photos of St. Petersburg, Russia in the 19th Century

With the emancipation of the peasants undertaken by Alexander II in 1861 and an industrial revolution, the influx of former peasants into the capital increased greatly. Poor boroughs spontaneously emerged on the outskirts of the city. Saint Petersburg surpassed Moscow in population and industrial growth; it developed as one of the largest industrial cities in Europe, with a major naval…
Vintage: Russian air force of 1915

Vintage: Russian air force of 1915

The Imperial Russian Air Service was founded in 1912. At the beginning of World War I, Russia’s air service was second only to that of France (263 aeroplanes and 14 airships), although the bulk of its aircraft were too outdated to be of much use. via English Russia
Vintage: Imperial Russian Submarines (1910s)

Vintage: Imperial Russian Submarines (1910s)

Imperial Russian Navy (IRN) had purchased German constructed submersibles built by the Germaniawerft shipyards out of Kiel. In 1903 Germany successfully completed its first fully functional engine-powered submarine, Forelle (Trout), and it was sold to Russia in 1904 and shipped via the Trans-Siberian Railway to the combat zone during the Russo-Japanese War. Due to the naval blockade of Port Arthur,…
Oleg Kaplan: Portrait of a men

Oleg Kaplan: Portrait of a men

Photo artist Oleg Kaplan was born in 1967 in Moscow into a family of artists. Known for his series of photographs entitled “Glass”. Among his accomplishments – many popular galleries of works, several prestigious awards and work with major publishers. Oleg dedicated his life to photography. Any expert or critic can not definitively characterize the genre in which the author…