PHOTOGRAPHY: A photographer's Perspective Justyna Mielnikiewicz (cnewa.us)

Photojournalist Justyna Mielnikiewicz speaks with ONE about her ongoing project documenting the Caucasus region.

Photos & voice by Justyna Mielnikiewicz
Produced by Erin Edwards

slideshow & voice (2:53) here >>>


Where Europe Meets Asia
by Justyna Mielnikiewicz with text by Annie Grunow

The Caucasus is a place of imprecise boundaries and identities. The borders dividing its land and its people vary from indiscernible to impenetrable. Diaspora and migration further complicate matters. Its strategic location and valuable resources have made the Caucasus the object of desire for several empires. Accordingly, its many ethnic and linguistic groups have developed strong identities by adapting to change while adhering to tradition.
Broadly speaking, the Caucasus is the size of Spain. Anchored by the Caucasus mountain range, it lies between the Black and Caspian seas, with Russia to the north and Turkey and Iran to the south. Its mountains feature Mount Elbrus, which is located on the Russian side of the Georgian border. It was there that, according to Greek mythology, the gods exiled and chained Prometheus as a punishment for stealing fire. On that mountain, he was tortured every night by an eagle that pecked at his liver. Indigenous Georgian mythology features a similar tale. Mount Ararat, sacred to the Armenians but located across the border in Turkey, lies in the far south of the Caucasus. According to tradition, Noah’s ark rested on its slopes after the great flood. These myths and traditions have helped perpetuate the allure and significance of the Caucasus.
Geographers often divide the region by north and south. Today, the North Caucasus usually refers to the republics of the Russian Federation. These include Adygea, Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Kalmykia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Krasnodar Krai and North Ossetia. The independent nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are often referred to as the South Caucasus. Distinctions between east and west persist, too. There is a more Persian flavor in the east than the Turkish-influenced west.
The Caucasus, however, is neither east nor west, neither Asian nor European. For hundreds of years, invaders and conquerors have drawn and redrawn these lines of distinction. Subsequent migration and forced displacement of its peoples have obscured the lines even further.

full text and photos >>>