Our Sincere Toils (2014)
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Ukraine has experienced its longest period of independence in centuries. However, the nation has continually grappled with questions about which foreign power to align with. Prior to the presidential elections of 2004, the answer had been Russia. But everything shifted with the street protests of the Orange Revolution and the forced resignation of president-elect Yanukovych. Unfortunately, the pro-European government that took control was soon mired in scandal, corruption, and internal conflicts. In 2010, Yanukovych returned to power following an election deemed free and fair.
In November 2013, a visit to Western Ukraine provided an opportunity to understand the challenges faced by the Ukrainian people. Time spent with individuals of the same age offered valuable insights into their struggles and the restrictions they experienced. During this period, Ukraine’s reaction to the European trade deal reversal became evident, a move with far-reaching economic and political consequences.
This experience sparked a deep fascination with Ukraine’s culture and politics, leading to a decision to return to the country to continue observing and exploring its complexities. A return to Kiev on February 21, 2014—just a day after more than one hundred pro-European militants were killed by government forces—marked a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
The second part of this journey involved traveling across the nation, going beyond the Euro Maidan protest site to understand life in other areas. The focus shifted to the experiences of ordinary Ukrainians as they sought to escape corruption and exploitation.
The resulting imagery serves as a visual record of everyday life against the backdrop of Ukraine’s uprising. The photographs capture the human details of a country undergoing rapid revolution and the annexation of part of its territory. They reflect on the aftermath of Ukraine’s bloody uprising, which led to the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, and the uncertain future facing the people encountered during this journey.
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Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Ukraine has experienced its longest period of independence in centuries. However, the nation has continually grappled with questions about which foreign power to align with. Prior to the presidential elections of 2004, the answer had been Russia. But everything shifted with the street protests of the Orange Revolution and the forced resignation of president-elect Yanukovych. Unfortunately, the pro-European government that took control was soon mired in scandal, corruption, and internal conflicts. In 2010, Yanukovych returned to power following an election deemed free and fair.
In November 2013, a visit to Western Ukraine provided an opportunity to understand the challenges faced by the Ukrainian people. Time spent with individuals of the same age offered valuable insights into their struggles and the restrictions they experienced. During this period, Ukraine’s reaction to the European trade deal reversal became evident, a move with far-reaching economic and political consequences.
This experience sparked a deep fascination with Ukraine’s culture and politics, leading to a decision to return to the country to continue observing and exploring its complexities. A return to Kiev on February 21, 2014—just a day after more than one hundred pro-European militants were killed by government forces—marked a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
The second part of this journey involved traveling across the nation, going beyond the Euro Maidan protest site to understand life in other areas. The focus shifted to the experiences of ordinary Ukrainians as they sought to escape corruption and exploitation.
The resulting imagery serves as a visual record of everyday life against the backdrop of Ukraine’s uprising. The photographs capture the human details of a country undergoing rapid revolution and the annexation of part of its territory. They reflect on the aftermath of Ukraine’s bloody uprising, which led to the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych, and the uncertain future facing the people encountered during this journey.
CLOSE