34 images Created 16 Jul 2021
St Petersburg Year
In 2002 Russia’s northern capital of St. Petersburg was preparing to celebrate its 300th birthday the following year. Encouraged by Russian President Vladimir Putin, himself a Petersburger, the home of the Tsars and cradle of the Russian Revolution was undergoing a remarkable transformation.
In the previous decade the city had struggled to find a place in post Soviet Russia, mostly featuring in news reports as Russia’s bandit capital. But Putin’s elevation to the Russian Presidency led to a turnaround in the fortunes of his home city. The Russian government is in Moscow, but now that it was packed with Putin’s men from the North a suitable anniversary for the Presidential birthplace was assured.
Look through Russia’s window on the West in the short dark days of winter and the long white nights of summer as it prepares to celebrate.
In the previous decade the city had struggled to find a place in post Soviet Russia, mostly featuring in news reports as Russia’s bandit capital. But Putin’s elevation to the Russian Presidency led to a turnaround in the fortunes of his home city. The Russian government is in Moscow, but now that it was packed with Putin’s men from the North a suitable anniversary for the Presidential birthplace was assured.
Look through Russia’s window on the West in the short dark days of winter and the long white nights of summer as it prepares to celebrate.
