Republic of Chechnya, Russia, 03/2013. A girl praying in the only official female madrasa in Chechnya and in Russia. This is one of the oldest madrasas, where girls and women can study Muslim religion. It has been operational for the past 13 years, and in the past, before Ramzan Kadyrov’s full approval, the school was burned down by Russian Federal Authorities. Thanks to Aiman Kadyrova, President of the Regional Public Foundation named after Akhmat-Khadji Kadyrov, the madrasa now has its own building, equipped with everything that is necessary for training. A resident of the village declares: “I remember the time when President Djokhar Dudaev claimed that our girls needed not schools, but madrasas, and that statement caused a wave of indignation in the Republic. Djokhar Dudaev was criticized everywhere and by everyone. People said that he did not want our children to get good education, that the rights of women were being violated, and so on. Today, for some reason, no one protests against women’s madrasas, against mandatory wearing of headscarves for young women, or against the introduction of some elements of Sharia law. On the contrary, all people thank the government, and personally Ramzan Kadyrov for that. That is, the outlook on life has so dramatically changed in the past twenty years in our Republic”. Chiri Yurt.

Republic of Chechnya, Russia, 03/2013. Security forces attending the celebration for the 10th anniversary of the Constitution Day. In the background Grozny City, five gleaming towers, the heart of the reconstruction of Grozny and a symbol of the city’s recovery following the destruction wrought at the beginning of the millennium. Grozny, March 23rd 2013.

Republic of Chechnya, Russia, 03/2013. A man praying in the field in front of what used to be a sugar factory. The area of Argun was one of the most industrialized of the Republic. Nowadays, as an effect of the war, approximately 80% of the economic potential of Chechnya has been destroyed. Much of the money spent by the Russian federal government to rebuild Chechnya has been wasted. The economic situation has improved considerably since 2000, yet the majority of people complain with the high rate of unemployment which in 2012 reached 40%. Argun.

Russia, St. Petersburg 2004

Russia, 2002 – Baikal Lake.

Ukraine, Odessa 2006

South Ossetia, 2008. A woman celebrating the recognition of independence by Russia. Claimed by Georgia, and de facto independent, South Ossetia, is recognized Sovereign state by Russia in the August 26th 2008, followed by Nicaragua and Venezuela.

Republic of Dagestan, Russia 2009. In the village of Gimri during the sacrifice of a bull. Between 2nd and 5th of January 2006 in the village which was also the native village of “Imam Shamil”, was put into a ferocious offensive of 3000 the Russian government forces against a group of 30 armed rebels, following the attempted murder of Assistant Commissioner of Ministry of Interior. The village has been blocked by federal forces until the end of 2008 and have been numerous cases of abuse, torture and violation of human rights in the village.

Davide Monteleone (nato nel 1974) è un artista e storyteller che utilizza la fotografia e il video come forme di espressione principali. Nel 2001 si è trasferito a Mosca, in qualità di corrispondente per l’agenzia italiana “Contrasto” e dal 2003 ha vissuto tra Italia e Russia, seguendo progetti indipendenti a lungo termine. Si è dedicato allo studio delle questioni sociali, conflitti, relazioni tra potere e individuo. Conosciuto per il suo interesse specifico sull’area post-sovietica, ha pubblicato il suo primo libro Dusha, Anima Russa nel 2007, seguito da La Linea Inesistente nel 2009, Cardo Rosso nel 2012 e Spasibo nel 2013. I suoi progetto gli hanno fruttato numerosi risconoscimenti, tra cui diversi premi World Press Photo, e donazioni tra cui l’Aftermath Grant, European Publishers Award e il Carmignac Photojournalism Award. Contribuisci regolarmente alle più importanti pubblicazioni a livello mondiale. I suoi progetti fotografici sono stati presentati come installazioni, mostre e proiezioni a festival e in gallerie in tutto il mondo, incluso il Nobel Peace Center di Oslo, la Saatchi Gallery di Londra, il MEP di parigi e il Palazzo delle Esposizioni di Roma. E’ impegnato in attività educative, tenendo regolarmente lezioni in università e workshop a livello internazionale. Davide è membro di VII Photo ed è rappresentato dalla Kehrer Gallery di Berlino

Qui un’intervista a Klat Magazine

Davide Monteleone (b. 1974) is an artist and storyteller who uses photography and video as main forms of expression. In 2001 he moved to Moscow as correspondent for the Italian agency “Contrasto” and since 2003 has lived between Italy and Russia pursuing long-term independent projects. He has devoted himself to the study of social issues, conflict, relation between power and individual. Known for his specific interest in the post-soviet area, he published his first book Dusha, Russian Soul in 2007, followed by La Linea Inesistente, in 2009, Red Thistle in 2012 and Spasibo in 2013. His projects have brought him numerous awards, including several World Press Photo prizes, and grants such as the Aftermath Grant, European Publishers Award and Carmignac Photojournalism Award. He regularly contributes for leading publications all over the world. His photography projects have been presented as installations, exhibitions and screenings at festivals and galleries worldwide including the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Saatchi Gallery in London, MEP in Paris and Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. He is engaged with educational activities, regularly lecturing at universities and teaching workshops internationally. Davide is a member of VII Photo and is represented by Kehrer Gallery in Berlin.

Here an interview on BJP

Anna “°”