Between 1799 and 1834, a number of Russian settlements were estimated of renamed in honor of european regions, liberated or conquered by Russian soldiers. That's how in South Ural appeared villages called Paris, Berlin, Leipzig, Warsaw, Balkans, and others – 32 villages in total.
Over the last 200 years, territories of Russia and Europe, alike their interests to each other, frequently united and fell apart, got separated and intersected again.
Author visited 17 small settlements, bearing foreign names, in search of "window to Europe". This research digs into the depths of contemporary Russia, at the same time spreading past its borders.
Awards:
IPA International 2015: Honorable Mention
IPA Russia 2015: "Bronze" / Category Deeper Perspective
ND Awards 2015: 2nd place at Architecture category
Published:
The Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2015/dec/11/european-cities-in-russia-from-paris-to-berlin-in-pictures)
Lenta.ru (http://lenta.ru/photo/2016/01/11/village/#0)
Cellular network tower in Paris settlement, named in favor to liberation of Paris, France, 1814.
Living house in Paris settlement.
Private greenhouse in Paris settlement.
Drying linen in Fère-Champenoise, named in favor to Battle of Fère-Champenoise, France, 1814.
Shopping mall in Varna village, named in favor to Battle of Varna, Bulgaria, 1829.
Cafe in Varna village.
Tractors in Leipzig village, named in favor to Battle of Leipzig, Germany, 1813.
German-Russian delegation in Leipzig village.
Water pump in Port-Arthur village, named in favor to Battle of Port-Arthur, China, 1906.
Residential houses and sport complex across the river in Chesma.
Road to Berlin village, named in favor to Berlin, Germany, liberated by Russian army in 1760 and 1813.
Countryside near Berlin village.
City hall in Arcis village, named in favor to Battle of Arcis-sur-Aube, France, 1814.
Vehicle garage and living house in Cassel village, named in favor to Battle of Cassel, Germany, 1813.
Soviet agitation wall painting in city hall of Cassel village.
Large chicken farm in Cassel village.
Portraits of local WW2 veterans in local history museum in Ostroleka, named in favor to Battle of Ostrołęka, Poland, 1831.
Children behind recreation club in Ostroleka village.
Lone horse feeding near vehicle trailer in Balkans village, named in favor to liberation of Balkans, soth-eastern Europe by Russian army in 1829.
Season workers repairing roof in Balkans village.
Erecting school in Balkans village.
Cemetery in Trebia village, named in favor to Battle of Trebia, Italy, 1799.
Orthodox church in Katzbach village, named in favor to Battle of Katzbach, Germany, 1813.
Interior of orthodox church in Katzbach village.
Living house in Polotsk, named in favor to Battle of Polotsk, Poland, 1812.
Road to Novi village, named in favor to Battle of Novi, Italy, 1799.
Country road between Polotsk village and Bredy village.
Railroad station in Breda village, named in favor to liberation of Breda, Netherlands, 1813.
Interior of Railroad station in Breda village.
Warehouse in Warsaw village, named in favor to Siege of Warsaw, Poland, 1831.
Overview of Warsaw village.
Truck and firetruck in Warsaw village.
