Portraits of New Emigrants Fleeing War and Repression
In a quiet corner of Riga the Vilki Books shop just opened an unusual art show called the “Faces of Emigration Project.” Hanging above bookshelves filled with brightly colored Russian-language children’s picture books are portraits of two dozen people who fled Russia’s war on Ukraine or other conflicts and repression of journalists and dissidents.
Artist Daniil Viatkin, who goes by Daniil V. professionally, left Russia when the war began. The artist and graphic designer wanted to “make sense of what is going on in others and in myself” in this state of forced and unexpected exile.
He wanted the portraits of Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians and Uzbeks to capture the “people, their stories, their attitude towards emigration in the moment.” His portraits are both substantial and ethereal, as if the people they depict are still taking form in their new circumstances. For a small show in a bookstore, the exhibition makes a powerful impression.
When asked to say a few words about their unexpected emigration, some of the subjects gave their names, country of origin and the media they work for. Others asked to be identified by initials. Still others asked to remain anonymous — perhaps because they have relatives left behind to protect, or perhaps for other reasons. This, too, is a portrait of emigration.
Artist Daniil Viatkin, who goes by Daniil V. professionally, left Russia when the war began. The artist and graphic designer wanted to “make sense of what is going on in others and in myself” in this state of forced and unexpected exile.
He wanted the portraits of Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians and Uzbeks to capture the “people, their stories, their attitude towards emigration in the moment.” His portraits are both substantial and ethereal, as if the people they depict are still taking form in their new circumstances. For a small show in a bookstore, the exhibition makes a powerful impression.
When asked to say a few words about their unexpected emigration, some of the subjects gave their names, country of origin and the media they work for. Others asked to be identified by initials. Still others asked to remain anonymous — perhaps because they have relatives left behind to protect, or perhaps for other reasons. This, too, is a portrait of emigration.
Alexander F., Russia
I had no plans to emigrate. It all happened in an instant. The Kremlin attacked, military censorship was introduced, and people in my profession were subject to arrest. I quickly left with one suitcase, naively expecting that I'd be away for a month or two. Slowly it became clear that many people liked this new reality, and that it would be around for a long time. A friend who emigrated a year before the war told me you have to leave with the belief that it's forever. Ultimately that's emotionally and physically easier. He's probably right, although I continue to think that my home was stolen from me, now it is being run by murderers and thieves, but some day I'll be able to return.
Daniil V.
Katya Dikovskaya
It’s hard to leave St. Petersburg, especially if it’s your home. No matter where you are, you look for something to fill the void, but you can’t find it. Sometimes you find something close to it, but it’s not the same thing. You’re never home. You’re always a visitor.
Daniil V.
Uzbek journalist, unbroken
Daniil V.
Veronika Yudovich
It's a test of resilience in your life and profession; mutual support; being in wonderful company.
Daniil V.
Hanna Solo
Emigration is the path to freedom: freedom of thought, word and action. It isn’t easy to leave your old life behind — you are leaving behind your homeland, your home, the people closest to you, your way of life. You take what you care most about: your husband, your dog, and three suitcases of things, memories and the weight of complicated feelings. And hope that it will be okay, and we’ll manage.
Daniil V.
Denis Kamalyagin, editor-in-chief of "Pskov Gubernia"
Oh, just a few words. To be brief – it’s the chance to work and protect the staff from police raids and the constant confiscation of computers. In the larger sense it’s something more than I can say in words, since it’s essentially a kind of new life, new people, new language, new way of life and thinking. And it’s a challenge, of course: how to write for a Russian audience when you are not in Russia.
Daniil V.
Dzmitry Kostin, Belarus
Freedom is not only free movement. Freedom is the chance to think, speak and live the way you want.
Daniil V.
Nadezhda
I never planned to emigrate. And I never thought the words of the song “Where your homeland begins, with a picture in your dictionary” would be about me. One journalist I respect wrote, “There isn’t a correct answer to the question, what’s better – your homeland without freedom or your freedom without your homeland?” I chose freedom. And it turns out to be painful.
Daniil V.
Maxim Kuzakhmetov
The chance to live freely in a free country.
Daniil V.
Kirill Kozhemyakin, Russia
It's marvelous.
Daniil V.
Anonymous
Daniil V.
Natalia
Emigration is feeling like you are suddenly living someone else's life. It's the joy of a new home and new friends. And it's the enormous pain of loss. And the hope of returning some day... But the most important thing is for the war to end.
Daniil V.
Oleg
For me emigration is complicated. It would take me at least a few pages of text to get down everything that comes to mind. But I remember very clearly my first step when I crossed the border into the EU: the noise in my ears that had been torturing me since at least 2022 fell silent. Ahead lay something new, even if it was frightening and difficult – but it made more sense and was more normal than what was before. And that’s good.
Daniil V.
N.
Life is pain.
Daniil V.
Pavel Dmitriev
Moving abroad is an opportunity to write freely about what is important and needs to be said.
Daniil V.
Yaroslav G, Ukraine
It has been more than two years since I was forced to emigrate. Since then there has not been a day that I have not thought of the walls of my home and not remembered the people I love who stayed behind on Ukrainian land that is occupied.
Although I’ve adjusted to life in Latvia, for me almost every single day in emigration is filled with longing and sorrow for my home and family.
Although I’ve adjusted to life in Latvia, for me almost every single day in emigration is filled with longing and sorrow for my home and family.
Daniil V.
