20 YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF THE USSR // Gerd Ludwig
RUSSIA - A PHOENIX RISING FROM THE ASHES OF A BROKEN EMPIRE
After the fall of the USSR, a large portion of the society found themselves unemployed, homeless and hungry -- while a minority of profiteers accumulated immense riches. The country’s rivers were sewers of chemical waste and in many cities the polluted air put millions at risk of respiratory diseases. (See feature: Lethal Legacy) The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine had blown up after operators botched a safety test. (See features: Chernobyl)
After a decade of steady decline, the Russian economy showed improvement. The changes were first obvious in the big cities where skylines became brightly lit, and store windows filled with consumer goods. Then Siberia, once associated with banishment and desolation became Mother Russia’s best hope. All because of gas and oil, which created unprecedented wealth in the region. (see feature: Oil)
The changes are most obvious in Moscow, which reveals its true colors at night. Today, the rich and mega-rich constitute a new small, but powerful social class who party till dawn. (See: Moscow) Still, there is a growing number of homeless people, struggling for diminishing aid; gastarbeiters from former Soviet Bloc countries looking for a slice of the pie; and the militia sweeping the streets of illegal immigrants and prostitutes. (See: Shadow)
After being driven underground for 80 years, the Russian Orthodox Church has been resurrected to its former splendor. Millions of Russians rush to be baptized and thousands of ruined churches have been restored to their original opulence. (See: Church)
By the end of 2011 most Russians have reason to celebrate the anniversary of the fall of the Soviet system. Their future rests on the post-communist generation that has not been taught to censor or hold itself back. Yet, there is a bittersweet sense of hope and loss as many Russians lament that the country is opening itself up to globalization and soul-less capitalism.
Gerd Ludwig has covered the changes in the former Soviet countries more than any other western photographer. Watch his personal journey at http://gerdludwig.com/multimedia/russian-destiny/
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