[13/86] - Life, Death and Resurrection - Peaceful Arbat

Edition: 1/1

GPS: 47.096869, 37.546559

Date: 24/02/2009

Story

This photo was taken on February 24, 2009 - exactly 13 years before the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine. Look how peaceful the center of Mariupol looks. This place is called Arbat, probably in honor of the moscow's Arbat, although they have nothing in common. On the left you can see part of the building of the First Ukrainian International Bank, which in my childhood was a huge four-story toy store Detskiy Mir (eng: Childrens' World).

There was a legend in my company that on the way from the Drama Theatre to the Underground Passage (passage in the center of Mariupol) you would meet all your acquaintances. This place was always a popular meeting spot.

As you can see from the geometry this shot was taken with ultra wide-angle lens Sigma 10-20mm (the focal distance here is about 16mm). I bought this lens in a store at the Radio Market in Donetsk and I remember having a rant with my mother for it's high cost (because why would I spend my money as I like, huh). I plan to find the similar lens to take this picture again more than a decade later.

In 2014 this place became a center of tragic events when armed separatists tried to take over the city. Please read an investigation by Bellingcat: https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2015/01/28/a-reconstruction-of-clashes-in-mariupol-ukraine-9-may-2014/

Also check the project's website to find out why I'm creating a three-part collection and what significance it has for the city: https://www.lifedeathandresurrection.com