TITLE: Cossacks of the Ural.

The current revival of Cossacks in Russia is political and cultural, based on traditional and patriotic values that are widely shared in the Russian society.

Cossacks were initially independent military groups who protected the borders of the Russian empire of foreign invasions. Therefore their presence in the Urals.

The conservative, religious and patriotic values of the Cossack culture have been supported by the Russian governments since the 1990s. Registered troops of Cossacks of the Russian Federation have been appointed by presidential decree in 1997.

Today, during peace time, their mission include the protection of forests, help during natural catastrophes and education of the youth, promoting patriotic and military values.

Every year, the Russian festivities of Maslesnitsa celebrate the end of winter. The Cossacks of the Urals have their own special way of celebrating it .

The highlight of the day is a huge snow fight.
Folklore outfits and songs, displays of patriotic prides on shirts ( Protect society, Love your fatherland...), women supporting the manly fights, children fighting or shooting rifles, emphasise the fundamental values of the Cossacks.

AUTHOR: pascale bazire (France)

Independent photographer, self-taught.
Started photography in 2013, in Moscow, Russia.

My work is a research on the cultural identity of a country.
The Russian projects ( 2013-2016) are centred on the search of «the Russian Soul», in the environment and in the people met in cities and in remote parts of Russia, and in the imprints left in the neighbouring countries.

2017 in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

SHOWS

The Best of Russia, Moscow, Russia, collective. 2017.

The Best of Russia, Moscow, Russia, collective. 2016.

Moscow through the eyes of foreigners, Romanov Dvor,Moscow, 2015

AWARDS

Winner , The Best of Russia, 2016 and 2014.

PUBLICATIONS

thispaper.com, Poland, 2016.

Russie Info, Russia 2016.

thisorient.com, Germany, 2016.

The Moscow Times, 2014.

CATALOGUES

The Best of Russia, 2016, collective.

The Best of Russia, 2014, collective.

Private collections in England, China, UAE, France, Sweden, Russia, Estonia.