A small boat glides over a lake enshrouded in heavy evening mist. The distant wooden church spire points towards the sky and appears to be floating gently like a ghost. The lapping of the water, rustling blades of grass, and the wind move me in such a way that I can barely contain the feeling of joy within me.
«The lapping of the water, rustling blades of grass, and the wind move me in such a way that I can barely contain the feeling of joy!».
Aleksey Myakishev is a professional photojournalist, engaged in documentary projects. He has numerous exhibitions, photo competition awards and three photo books to his credit. One of them is “Kolodozero”.
On the shore of a lake lies Kolodozero, a small village made up of some dozen homes. Nestled between Karelia and Arkhangelsk Oblast, in north-west Russia. Everyone here gets by as best they can, working in lumbering, subsistence farming, fishing or hunting. The village is also home to a handful of people who decided to move here to get away from the hustle of the city, but they are very much the exception. Life in Kolodozero is not easy.
«And then suddenly I realise I am home and I understand where I come from».
And yet, there is something special about Kolodozero. I visited the village for the first time in winter, on Christmas Eve. And suddenly felt like I was immersed in a tale- a tale that would completely absorb me. I made a promise to myself to return. And that I did in spring, summer, autumn and winter again…
I was captivated by the mentality of the local inhabitants, the landscape and the charismatic Father Arkadi. And then suddenly I realise I am home and I understand where I come from..