As the Soviet Union broke up and Moldova became an independent state, the small section
known as Transnistria, sought to break away. In 1992, Moldova decided to regain
Transnistria as an independent state and started a military conflict. The conflict was
stopped by Russia, entering the region with their troops and engaging a peacemaking
mission.
For the past twenty-seven years, the people of Transnistria, a region spanning
approximately 125 by 20 miles, have lived in a frozen state. During this time, a new
generation was formed and I belong to it.
My story is built around the simple Transnistrians and their daily lives. These are people of
different generations and epochs. They belong to various nations and cultures. I wanted
to show the real people hidden under the label of “the non-existent country”, that
managed to adapt to the complicated political situation and to the life in country,
recognized only by them.
Anton Polyakov (b. 1990, Tiraspol) is a freelance photographer, living and working in his birth city. The small town is the capital of Transnistria – the unrecognized Republic, legally part of Moldova but not actually controlled by it. Anton’s date of birth coincides with the date of establishment of the Republic which is located between Moldova and Ukraine and in political terms is considered Pro-Russian territory. He graduated from Transnistrian State University majoring in Geography. Currently Anton is interested in the topic of historical and cultural memory in the region in which he resides, as well as younger generation of people who were born in the Republic after the collapse of the Soviet Union: the question of their personal identification, the influence of the uncertain status of the country and what they face in their daily lives.
Awards Awards:
:
2017- Transnistria Conglomerate - FINALIST - International photography contest French Alliance in Spain and EFTI
2017 - "Transnistria Conglomerate" Bob Books Photobook Award
2017 - Included in the shortlist of Lucie Scholarship Program
2016 - “Mahala” shortlisted to Il Reportage Photojournalism Award, Italy
2016 - “Mahala” shortlisted to photogrvphy grant
2015 - Transnistria Conglomerate - FINALIST - Organ Vida 2017 at Museum of Contemporary Arts, Zagreb
