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The art of photography has the power to capture the essence of time, freezing moments, and places for eternity. In my latest photography series, I embarked on an unforgettable journey through former FSU countries to document abandoned Soviet architecture. This adventure allowed me to discover forgotten treasures that tell a fascinating story, both political and artistic.

Soviet architecture, characterized by its grandeur and utilitarianism, left a lasting imprint on many countries formerly under communist rule. However, over the years, many iconic buildings have been left abandoned, bearing witness to a bygone era. My journey took me to places such as Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and other former Soviet republics, where I was able to explore these forgotten remains.

Each building I have photographed tells a unique story. Brutalist-style monuments, dilapidated palaces, and clean-lined administrative buildings stand as silent witnesses to the past. The faded colors and crumbling structures create an almost surreal atmosphere, where time seems to stand still.

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#1

Cinema, Georgia

Cinema, Georgia

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The photographs in this series not only reflect the melancholy beauty of these sites, but they also capture the essence of the passage of time. Nature began to reclaim these buildings, giving rise to a strange harmony between nature and architecture. Vegetation grows through the cracks, trees pierce the roofs, and the sunlight creates shadows that highlight the tumultuous history of these places.

Abandoned Soviet architecture is a subject that touches on history, politics, and art. The photographs in this series seek to capture the soul of these buildings and recall their historical importance. They invite the viewer to reflect on the past, present, and future of these places while celebrating their beauty in decay.

When we stand in front of these abandoned monuments, we cannot help but feel a deep melancholy and a deep respect for the history that surrounds them. Abandoned Soviet architecture is a precious heritage, and through this series of photographs, I hope to give it the place it deserves in our collective memory. It is a silent witness to a bygone past, and I am honored to be able to capture it for future generations.

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#2

Sevan Writers House, Armenia

Sevan Writers House, Armenia

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#3

House Of Culture, Georgia

House Of Culture, Georgia

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Since I was little, I have always been passionate about the conquest of space. My first trip took me on the trail of the headquarters of the Communist Party of Bulgaria, which resembles a ship thanks to its extraordinary architecture. I then decided to go to Kazakhstan, to Baikanur, to capture the sleeping shuttles. This remains my fondest memory of exploration. After this trip, everything accelerated: I traveled to Georgia to find the lost statue of Stalin, which was unbolted and then hidden. I continued my travels, to Bulgaria, Romania then again to Georgia and Armenia with the sole aim of capturing the heritage of the former Soviet Union, before it disappeared.

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#5

Old Iron Fountain, Armenia

Old Iron Fountain, Armenia

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Krzysztof Sierszeń
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, there's a tragic story behind it. It used to be located in the middle of a sprawling university campus (see top comment). Then, an earthquake came in 1988 that buried 12k of the city inhabitants under rubble. Now, out of the entire campus, only the desolate fountain remains.

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Blyss Blyssylb
Community Member
10 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is this Cool looking place? OH! It's a Water feature!

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Every country has a different style of architecture, it even varies depending on the region. I had the chance to see some magnificent cultural houses in Georgia. But most of the time, I don't really know what I'm going to find when I open those doors. Sometimes a disappointment, but often nice surprises! I obviously prefer places where humans have not left traces and which are not vandalized, places where nature has reclaimed its rights!

#6

House Of Culture, Georgia

House Of Culture, Georgia

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#7

Dispensary, Armenia

Dispensary, Armenia

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David Brown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Any building in the US left alone for more than 24hrs gets tagged and vandalized. Whatever the penalties are there seem to be a huge deterrent against it.

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Many people to whom I showed these photos in Europe feel sadness at the "waste" of such beautiful monuments, with all the same a fascination with nature which takes over the work of the Man. On the other hand, in the countries visited, the locals really like to see the photos we take and feel nostalgic. Some locals even shared memories and vintage photos with us!

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Everything is possible, you have to want it and preserve it! I hung out with the locals, drank gallons of coffee with them, and chatted with everyone I could! Without their trust, many places are inaccessible or impossible to find!

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#9

Astrophysical Observatory, Armenia

Astrophysical Observatory, Armenia

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David Brown
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish people in the US would take note of how pristine these abandoned places are in Soviet Union. It makes the exploration allot more fun when you aren't dodging heroin needles and trash all over the place.

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#15

Statue Of Stalin, Georgia

Statue Of Stalin, Georgia

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#17

The Soviet Buran Space Shuttles, Kazakhstan

The Soviet Buran Space Shuttles, Kazakhstan

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Rob Chapman
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the shuttle Ptichka, housed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. With a mock-up in the background. The actual Buran shuttle, the only completed and functional shuttle of the Buran program, was destroyed in a hangar collapse in 2002.

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#20

Soviet Mosaic Honoring The Space Race, Georgia

Soviet Mosaic Honoring The Space Race, Georgia

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#21

House Of Culture, Georgia

House Of Culture, Georgia

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#22

Sanatorium, Georgia

Sanatorium, Georgia

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#23

House Of Culture, Armenia

House Of Culture, Armenia

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#24

House Of Culture, Georgia

House Of Culture, Georgia

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#26

House Of Culture, Georgia

House Of Culture, Georgia

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#27

Statue Of Lenin, Armenia

Statue Of Lenin, Armenia

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Phoebe Bean
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like President Snow's final moments (Hunger Games movies...)

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