Jul16

Krievi

Krievi – the Latvian name for Russians – is a documentary project about the Russian community of Latvia.

Historically, Latvia has always had strong bonds with the Russian Federation. Modest in size, the country has been largely dependent on its big neighbour, which has defined Latvia’s political climate and economic development.

In the 20^th century, the period of independence was glorious but brief. Having gained autonomy in 1918, Latvia was compelled to join the Soviet Union at the outbreak of World War II and for the sequent half of a century, the Latvian SSR was one of the 15 Soviet Republics forming the USSR.

during the Soviet era, the number of Russians permanently living in Latvia had increased nearly five fold, making it the largest ethnic minority in the country.

Nominally a union, the USSR was highly centralised and effectively functioned as a single country with open borders and a shared economy under the rule of the Communist Party. This state of affairs contributed to the high level of internal migration; during the Soviet era, the number of Russians permanently living in Latvia had increased nearly five fold, making it the largest ethnic minority in the country. Russians currently form approximately one third of the Latvian population.

Born in Riga in 1988 to Russian parents, I have vague recollections of the Soviet era, nonetheless, I had been living in the shadow of the past for my entire life in Latvia. Not having been to Russia until my early teens and legally obliged to apply for visa in order to enter the country, I never felt strong connections with my ethnical motherland. However, I would equally hesitate to describe my cultural identity based on the place of my origins. Through my life in Latvia I have often been reminded – subtly but pointedly - of my status as a guest that has been accepted to stay, as long as he or she causes no trouble, shows no sign of displeasure and does not insist on equal rights in the household.

Alexandra Enichek, medical student and part-time nurse. Her collective consists of both Latvians and Russians in almost equal proportions, each speaking their native language, but understood by all.
Alija Bazhenova, high-school student, working to organise a political group of young members of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Vjacheslav Sirodan, singer from the Russian folk choir Garmonika.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, many residents of Latvia did not qualify for citizenship and were issued a non-citizen’s or ‘alien’s’ passport. In 2011, ‘aliens’ formed 14.35% of the country’s population.
Vadim Grossman, actor from the Riga Russian Drama Theatre. Despite the theatre’s name, a large part of the patrons are ethnic Latvians, as it is far more a part of the culture.
Antonina Nenasheva, chairman of the board at Patrioti.Iv youth political organisation, aspiring to build a better Latvia, not separated by ethnicity, cultural background or social status.
With a group of likeminded young people, Vladislav Keldish tries to encourage the new generation to remember the history and play an active role in preservation of their culture. ‘Knowledge of the history of my nation, motherland and kin forms the foundation of my identity.’
Natalja Vasiljeva is a journalist and TV presenter on the 1st Baltic Channel. Established in September 2002 as an offshoot to the original First Channel in Russia, the 1st Baltic Channel currently reaches more than 4 million viewers and is the leading Russian-language TV channel in the Baltics today.
Vladimir Linderman, leader of rodina.lv organisation that fights for the rights of the Russian minority of Latvia, and a reporter at Subbota leading Russian-language newspaper in Latvia.
Maslenitsa is a Slavic religious and folk holiday welcoming the spring, celebrated with games, songs, horse sleigh riding, pancake feast and burning of a large doll that symbolises winter.
Natalija Koshevaja, singer from the Russian folk choir Dushechka.
Mikhail Lushinkov, poet and a member of the Russian Literary Union of Latvia.
Ogata Samoletova (stage name), theatre director and founder of the Theatre of Dreams. She complains that Russian theatres receive less support from the government, therefore are not as active, professional and creative as their Latvian counterparts.
Tow decades after the fall of the USSR, thousands of Russians across all generations still live in Latvia, and artists continue to successfully tour the country, regularly filling concert halls with devoted followers. Russian band Leningrad, infamous for using strong language in their lyrics, performed in Arena Riga in March 2012 to a large crowd of cheering fans.
Veronica Ilyushenko, aspiring hair-stylist, she enjoys being different and believes uniqueness makes her beautiful. Veronica feels Russian and Latvian, as well as being influenced by other cultures and says that 'multiculturalism is what defines her identity.'
Igor Timofeev plays the dombra in the orchestra of Russian folk instruments Kadanss. The instrument was a present from an orchestra to his grandfather - professional musician – to commemorate more than thirty years of his career on stage.
Eugene Chigvincev, journalist and editor of Vestnik magazine, fought in the battle of Stalingrad in the Great Patriotic War. More than six decades after the WWII, celebration of the Victory Day remains a hotbed of political discord.

Through adolescence, I was trying in vain to find a simple definition of my cultural identity, striving to understand my origins and craving to belong and be a part of the community. As the time passed, I learned to accept the complexity of the answer, although I still hesitate for a moment every time I fill in ‘NATIONALITY’ column in a survey.

Closely connected to the subject of my work, I avoid definite conclusions, instead allowing others to speak about their experience of the issue. I do not believe that there is an absolute answer to any of the questions raised and do not aim to find the right and the wrong; instead, I hope to create an objective and inclusive picture and open the dialogue.Different generations, unique destinies, diverse experiences and contrasting opinions brought together in this body of work draw a complex image of the lives of Russians in contemporary Latvia.

communist, Documentary Photography, Latvia, portrait, social issues, USSR

About the Author

Tina Remiz

Tina Remiz is a Latvian-born, UK-based documentary storyteller and visual artist. She holds a degree in Photographic Arts from the University of Westminster and work as a freelance photographer, specialising in visual reporting and portraiture.

A lot of Remiz’s personal work is concerned with the issues of migration and cultural identity, as she reflects on her personal experience of growing up in the post-Soviet Latvia and immigrating to the West in late teens.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | http://www.tinaremiz.co.uk

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