"Ukraine - On The Edge of a War": Stefano Majno's Photography Project

In the past, Stefano Majno has taken us to faraway places through his travel photographs. This time, he takes us to the Ukraine of just a few years ago, a country in which tension was undeniable but which we would never have wanted to see turn into the events we know today.

Hi Stefano, could you please make an introduction for the readers of our Online Magazine?

My name is Stefano Majno, I live in a quiet town in Piedmont (Italy) between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta and I work in international trading.

In the last few years we have travelled some incredible journeys thanks to your photographs. Today you have chosen to share with us this fantastic series titled "Ukraine - On the edge of a war", a subject that is unfortunately very topical. Can you tell us when these photos were taken and the reason for your trip to Ukraine?

The gallery was made a year before everything stopped due to the advent of the Covid 19 pandemic. I decided to travel through Ukraine from north to south, from Kyiv to Odesa, with the aim of entering Transnistria.

Transnistria is a de facto independent but unrecognized state that lies across the Dnister river as a buffer between Moldova and Ukraine.

After having been to Nagorno Karabakh and Abkhazia, Transnistria was part of my long-term photographic project on unrecognized states.

Is there a particular place that has remained in your heart?

Definitely Kyiv.

Even three years ago, the tension was palpable, photos of fighters in the disputed eastern region of Donbas were displayed in many metro stations, and in Maidan Square, which has become a shrine for those killed in the 2014 demonstrations, the first birthdays of a Ukraine once again in danger were being celebrated.

What impressed you most during this trip?

For a lover of Soviet architecture like me, Ukraine is a veritable treasure trove, ranging from socialist classicism to the most imposing brutalism, and another interesting aspect is rural life in the countryside where time has stood still.

Can you share your thoughts on what is happening right now in Ukraine?

What is happening in Ukraine at the moment is absolutely unacceptable and evokes scenarios that we in Europe have long forgotten.

The Russian imperialist presumption in conflict with the independent cultural soul of the Ukrainian people has been rooted for over a century and will not be extinguished in a short time.

It is to be hoped that in the face of large-scale popular opposition and the negative media coverage that could result from continued operations in Europe, it will prompt the negotiation of any form of peace.

What is your next destination?

At the end of the month I should be in Moldova where I will travel between the autonomous region of Gagauzia and Transnistria. All in theory...because Transnistria, being pro Russian, could prohibit entry; the situation is constantly evolving.

We thank Stefano for sharing his fantastic photos and hope that, like in this last portrait above, Ukraine will smile again as soon as possible. Follow Stefano on his LomoHome, Instagram profile and website.

written by melissaperitore on 2022-03-03 #gear #culture #news #ukraine #stefano-majno