Photographer's view: Lesobaza, shamans, and dormitory life in Tyumen

Heart Surgery on a Child

In Tyumen, talented cardiothoracic surgeon Kirill Gorbatikov saves lives daily. We managed to enter the holy of holies of Tyumen Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 — the operating room — and see with our own eyes how the team of doctors works in harmony during surgery. Every day, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses work as one heart — with no room for error. Here, they save infants weighing one and a half kilograms (about 3.3 lbs) and perform unique operations, almost unmatched in the country.

Estonians in the Tyumen Hinterland

In the Vikulovsky District, there is a village where descendants of Estonians live, who moved here during the Stolypin agrarian reform. It is called Antsensk. Only a few residents remain, but they have preserved the culture and traditions of their ancestors, know the language, and have their own, special attitude to life.

Seven Children — That«s Happiness

In a small two-room apartment on the outskirts of Tyumen, a large family lives — seven children and their mother. It«s noisy, cramped, but very real. Every day is like a small feat: early rises, getting ready for school and kindergarten, pots of dinner for seven, and sweet pies on holidays. Rooms turn into bedrooms, the kitchen — into the headquarters of family logistics, and the balcony — into a storage room for winter jackets and children»s toys. Children learn to help each other, the older ones care for the younger ones, the mother — for everyone. There«s little space, but enough love. This family»s dream is a big house where everyone will have their own bed, corner, and window. And although for now it«s only in plans, the most important thing is already there. Coziness, warmth, and the feeling that together, everything is possible.

The River Takes Houses

In Kazanka, on the bank of the Alabuga River, several houses stood. In recent years, the bank has been eroding, and the water has been getting closer to them. The buildings and plots were decided to be seized, the residents — to be resettled, and we managed to record their stories and take portraits against the backdrop of still-existing houses where they lived their entire lives.

Abandoned Kindergarten

Abandoned houses and buildings have a special charm. The former kindergarten in Zareka turned out to be particularly interesting. Among the debris, glimpses of past life kept appearing: children«s surnames on lockers, letters, broken dishes. But even after the »end« of the building»s official existence, it began a second life, an underground one. And observing it was also interesting: here, philosophical quotes, messages to loved ones, and motivating phrases were found.

Contrasts of Lesobaza

Old houses are almost destroyed, and new ones are only being built. What is happening in the «limbo» of old Lesobaza? Here, a sociable man burns wires to sell as scrap metal, in a half-abandoned house, a large family and marginalized individuals live out their days, and children go to school through a wasteland in clouds of construction dust.

Flying with the Forest Guard

In the summer, there was an opportunity to go up in a small plane and see how a pilot-observer patrols the forests of the Vagaysky District. The sight is mesmerizing — see for yourself.

Light Visible from Space

Many people, seeing a large orange glow behind Tyumen, don«t assume that such bright light comes from greenhouses in Narimanovo. These are the largest greenhouses beyond the Urals, supplying our and neighboring regions with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. How they are grown, see in the photos.

«Sky of Russia»

On June 12, near Tobolsk, an airshow took place that captured the attention of hundreds of people. And there really was something to see: the team of pilots showed aerobatic figures and made all viewers freeze with delight.

«I Live Here»

Who are they — the people living in a gloomy dormitory near the Roshchino airport, and how did their fate turn out that they ended up in these not very welcoming walls? We made portraits of people in their apartments and recorded their stories. Read via the link.

Poultry Farm Problems Again

In 2021, Tyumen was choking from the smell of burning birds near the Borovskaya poultry farm, this year, the Pyshminskaya poultry farm was unlucky. The smoke and soot were so strong that it reached Tyumen, although the distance to the city is more than 25 km (about 15.5 miles).

«The Shaman Has Three Hands»

A memorable trip was to two shamans — a married couple who live in a village near Tyumen. On their plot, there is a chum (a traditional tent), inside which a fire burns and rituals and fortune-telling take place, as well as pagan deities that moved here from a sanctuary on Taganay.

Convinced that life in Tyumen is interesting and eventful? If you don«t live in Tyumen and want to come here to relax, pay attention to the selection of hotels where you can stay during the holidays.