A visual essay of everyday life at the Finnish-Russian border after (and before?) the Iron Curtain

Abstract

Everyday life at the Finnish-Russian border has undergone significant changes in recent years. The development of neighbourly relations and the growth of cross-border traffic and interaction, which began after the collapse of the Soviet Union, have been disrupted by border crossing restrictions and closures, a consequence of COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s attack into Ukraine. This visual essay provides an account of everyday life on the border over the past 15 years through my personal experiences and observations as a border scholar. The selected visual images illustrate how the material and social landscape, as well as people’s experiences and agency (including my own), transform at the Finnish-Russian border in response to the shifting political climate and changing border policies.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research was funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders, Project [G025519N]: ‘Borders and Borderlands Revisited: A Visual and Mixed-method Study of Liminal Spaces and “In Situ” Experiences’ (P.I. Luc Pauwels). The author expresses sincere gratitude to Luc Pauwels for his invaluable support and feedback.

These photographs were showcased in the ‘My Peace at Borders’ photo exhibition, organised by the Saimaa Photography Society and the voluntary group ‘Rauhan isöäidit’ [Grandmothers for Peace] at Gallery Pihatto in Lappeenranta, Finland, from 24 October to 17 November 2023. The author expresses sincere appreciation to the organisers, with heartfelt thanks to Maritta Pohls for the invitation, collaborative efforts in shaping the storyline, selecting images with the author, and for the continuous support and encouragement. Special thanks to Essi and all individuals who participated in the projects and consented to being photographed.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek: [Grant Number G025519N].