Photographer Lena Sokolova is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography.  From the project ‘Poozyory’.  To see Lena’s body of work, click on any photograph.

 

 

 

 

The “Poozers” project came to life naturally. It happened on its own. I often spend a lot of time in my native village, photographing birds and animals. Local residents became actively interested in the results of these shoots. I created a community on social media where anyone can view a catalog of birds from my photographs. Gradually, I began to photograph the residents themselves, which sparked no less interest. Everyone is particularly pleased when I come to shoot community events with my professional equipment. I do this completely free of charge. Poozerye is a historic place, located on the northwest shore of Lake Ilmen. My ancestors have lived here since time immemorial. They were fishermen. I still remember the times when our fellow villagers would go out onto the lake to catch fish in “soymas” (fishing boats). Now it’s history. The collective farm is gone, and there’s no fishing industry either. People are forced to commute to work in the city, in Novgorod. There are private farms, where mostly migrants work. At the same time, there is a growing scientific interest in Poozerye.

 

 

 

Recently, a documentary film about our residents was released, created as a scientific project by Novgorod anthropologists. Our Ilmen Lake region is also called “Holy.” The reason for this is that there were many churches, chapels, and monasteries along the lake’s shore. There is a belief that because of the sanctity of the place, snakes do not inhabit our area. Indeed, there are no snakes here, not even the smallest and most harmless ones. However, in neighboring villages that are not part of the Ilmenskoye Poozerye, they do exist. Currently, there is a museum-mill in the Poozerye area where one can learn about the life and history of the locals. I am trying to preserve the visual image of modern Poozerye. I really regret that I didn’t start this earlier. The older generation is passing away, and there may not be a new one. Young people are actively leaving their homeland in search of work and a better life.

 

 

 

 

 

Lena Sokolova was born in Novgorod, a city in the European part of Russia. She holds a master's degree in physics and works in her field at the Institute of Nuclear Research in Moscow. She lives in Moscow with her husband and three adopted children, but during the summer, she and her children reside in the village of Sergovo on the shores of Lake Ilmen, where Lena spent her childhood. She has been passionate about photography since her early years, primarily capturing her family and friends. In 2021, she became interested in nature photography. She is a volunteer ornithologist and conducts bird counts in the Ilmenskoye Poozerye. This is a unique place where dozens of migratory bird species, including rare ones, stop during their journeys. With the help of Lena's high-quality photographs, local residents become familiar with the ornithological diversity of their homeland, fostering a more conscious and caring attitude towards nature. This activity has drawn the interest of many people, expanding Lena's social circle, and her photography has broadened to include coverage of local events, where she has been invited to participate, family photo sessions, and spontaneous encounters captured through her camera. Most residents have a positive attitude towards her work.

 

All images and text © Lena Sokolova

  

See also:

Holy Poozyory

By Lena Sokolova

 

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