Our journalism is banned in Russia. We need your help to keep providing you with the truth.

Contribute today

Costume by Costume: Building an Image of Russia's Past

Nov 06, 2017 - 01:20 pm

Alexander, 26, Engineer; 9th-century volunteer [Druzhinnik]. “Once I came home late at night, inhaled the moist river air and realized that in part my hobby is an escape from reality. During historical re-enactments, I don’t owe anyone anything. It's fun, you can dance, fight, drink alcohol (in normal life I don’t drink), even fall asleep in the field in broad daylight.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Nastasya, 24, Laboratory assistant; 9th-century middle-class woman. “Life in modern Russia is terrible. Anything could happen tomorrow — there could be war, unemployment, another economic crisis. But when I wear historical costumes I dance, sing in the choir, I fast. I experience centuries of continuity and a deeper understanding of myself.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Dmitry, 32, Head of product control group; 13th-century warrior. “Many men who like historical re-enactments are most likely there for the battles. In a costume, I feel more at ease, even though the outfit of a druzhinik weighs 30 kilograms. I don’t like the formality of contemporary dress. But what irritates me most is the absence of physical activity in today’s life. It’s a child’s fantasy to run and swing with swords.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Irina, 36, Logistics specialist; 13th-century warrior’s wife. “Today, now there are no clear divisions between the male and female spheres. It’s a shame because it makes the world more understandable and orderly.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Kirill, 37, Clergyman; 15th-century warlord. “I like that at that [in the 15th century] the attitude to faith was more serious. Nobody said ‘I have God in my heart and that's enough for me.’ They kept not only their traditions and rituals, but also delved into the essence of faith, studied the scriptures. Family values were in high esteem. Now, people live in civil marriages, homosexual relationships are encouraged.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Viktoria, 36, 15th-century warlord’s wife. “Previously, people were thrifty. They did everything qualitatively and for a long time, from natural fabrics. Not because it's fashionable, but because it's convenient.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Igor, 37, English teacher; 17th-century musketeer. “Back then it seems a person felt more responsible for his fate. People were more involved in what was happening around them. Now they are complaining that it's dirty in the yard, but why not get together and clean everything together?” Svetlana Makoveeva

Sophia, 17, Student; 17th-century musketeer’s daughter. “I think I love the 21st century. I like to live in our time because I have the right to choose and the relative freedom of speech that women of that age did not have.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Mikhail, 20, Student; 19th-century hussar. "I'm attracted to the aesthetics of their lives. The Hussars lived every day like the last. My hobby allows me to feel like an interesting person and, as they say; Remembering the past, build the present. At the same time, I am completely apolitical and will not go to meetings with Navalny, that is, try to change something on a global level.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Tatiana, 30, New mother; 19th-century nobleman’s wife. “I would not want to live in the 19th century. There is a good phrase - do not confuse tourism with emigration. Now, despite all the vicissitudes of our time, we have a very important advantage - freedom of choice.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Ivan, 27, Engineer; soldier of the Russian Imperial Army, World War I “Historical reconstruction is just a hobby. And in everyday life and in a historical image, I'm almost the same in terms of my inner feelings. I do not consider it a theater, so I do not play, but behave as usual.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Svetlana, 41, Secretary; merchant's wife, World War I “People lost beauty, it gave way to practicality. How few women wear dresses and how often they wear jeans and tracksuits.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Dmitry, 43, Teacher; NKVD major, World War II “Many know about the NKVD only as an instrument through which Stalin carried out his purges and reforms. At the same time, they forget that the core defense (of the Soviet Union during World War II) was made up of NKVD troops.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Olga, 51, Museum worker; nurse, World War II “I am engaged in the reconstruction of this period because I honor the memory of the dead, but I would not want to be there. This is a tragic period in the life of our country.” Svetlana Makoveeva

Photographer Svetlana Makoveyeva's new project "The History of Russia - A Future in the Past" depicts ordinary Russians in clothes from different periods of the country’s history.

Makoveyeva asked participants to talk about their favorite fashion period in Russia’s 1,000 year history.

Some feel more comfortable in the robes of a tsar than a business suit; others enjoy going back to their childhood with swords. All of Makoveyeva’s subjects enjoy imagining how their lives would look if they had lived centuries ago.

Photographer: Svetlana Makoveyeva. These photos can be see on the original website here.

'festival of flowers'

In Photos: Ethnic Kryashens Celebrate Pitrau Folk Festival in Tatarstan

Celebrated by the Kryashens, an Orthodox Christian ethnic sub-group of the Volga Tatars, the holiday has a deep folk and religious meaning.

In Photos: The Ancient Slavic Midsummer Holiday of Kupala Night

Last weekend, people across Russia gathered to celebrate Ivan Kupala Night – an ancient Slavic festival to mark midsummer. Here’s how one Russian village...

In Photos: Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital After Russian Strike

The attack on Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital drew international condemnation and calls to step up support for Ukraine.

In Photos: Muscovites Swelter in Record-Breaking Heat

Temperatures in Russia’s capital hit an all-time high of 32 degrees Celsius on Tuesday – Moscow’s hottest day in over 130 years.