Solovki

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Russian Federation | Sunday, October 17, 2010 | 5 photos

The Solovetsky monastery - sacred place in far Russian north, island in White sea. Since 1429 it is opened for people looking for new way in life or just trying to see deeper inside their souls. It was also the center of entire Russian North. Then monastery was burned and Concentration camp was established there for 16 years (1923-1939), more than 50 thousand people died being martyred and shooted by fire. Crimeless - simply opponents of new Soviet power. This camp was first in the system of GULAG, existed until 1961. And now, the Monastery slowly reconstructs and spiritual life returns. Thousands of pilgrims visit monastery, as it was in 19th century. Solovki return again their lost sacredness.
I visit the islands every year. To walk green forest, stay on the strong wind of White sea, collect northern berries. And of course every time, every visit I open something new inside me - it is an experience that could be found in quite few places in the world. I'm not professional in photography, but when traveling I use my camera with few lenses to keep main impressions as photos - not to make beauty picture (it also happens, but not the main) but to put some tale in it. And then picture get alive. Sometimes I make albums with text and photos - just for friends.
My ocupation is MD, cardiologist. I work in intensive care unit of university hospital, also educate students. Now I'm going my second higher education to become journalist, because like writing essays, stories, articles. The philological education would enhance my ranges of vision.
I always wanted to travel and to make reportages or even articles with photos. My album-reportage about Solovki is ready, and I send 5 photos from it which I hope can tell story about this place.