Pavel Tsoroev, Nazran, specially for "Vestnik Kavkaza"
The unique Moscow photographer Richardas Gineyka has arrived in Ingushetia. His online photo album "Here she is, Mother Russia..." received seven nominations in the Book of Records and achievements of Russia and was recognized as the best publication in the world on Russia. The photo album is regularly updated with new photos. More than 107,000 of his works are already posted on the website. Gineyka says that he works so that all people in the world could see Russia, its vastness and beauty. The correspondent of "Vestnik Kavkaza" met the master in Nazran.
- Richardas how did you came to Ingushetia?
- On August 2 last year there was a large-scale event at the All-Russia Exhibition Centre in connection to the Day of the Airborne Troops. I prepared a photo film about the festival, which was attended by Colonel-General Vladimir Shamanov. Among other guests who came to congratulate the "winged infantry" was also the head of Ingushetia, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. We met and he asked me to make a photo album of his mountainous region. I gladly accepted the offer. And here I am.
- When did you become interested in photography, and when did the craft become your profession?
- I have not parted with a camera since 1974, when I, as a boy, took it one in my hands. At the end of the last century, I went on a business trip by car from Belarus across Russia to Sakhalin. I was overwhelmed with so many impressions that I filmed over 200 films. This formed the basis of the photo album. Now it numbers more than a million photographs. I moved to Moscow and made this craft the purpose of my life.
- How were your impressions of Ingushetia formed?
- Frankly speaking, originally my views were limited to a single phrase - "They shoot over there." Before coming to your region, I even made provisions for security. Upon arrival in the republic, all my fears disappeared by themselves. I saw people cleaning kerbs, an airship floating in the air over Magas, children frolicking by the fountains.
Now, everywhere I go, I am accompanied by members of the Ingush Tourism Committee. The first place I visited was the city of military glory, Malgobek. The 70th anniversary of the heroic battle for the town will be celebrated soon. I will definitely attend the celebrations. The city takes care of its military graves, and everything is done to preserve the memory of the soldiers. I was particularly impressed with the local tightrope walker who goes in jumping moves on the rope while in a bag and not seeing anything around him. I have also visited the unique Ingush artist Murat Polonkoyev, there is a traditional Ingush tower in his yard, he has built it with his own hands. In general, his yard is an open air museum.
- Have you been to the capital of the Republic?
- Yes, I have been to Magas. Everything is located close together - the office buildings, offices, houses and shops. It is a quiet and calm city, there are construction works everywhere. I greatly enjoyed the visit to the observation tower. It has a great view. This new object, which I think is still under construction, will become the main attraction of the city. I was also impressed by the State National Radio-Television company "Magas". There are tons of equipment in the building. They took a very decent bar - HD-level where one can see every hair. For example, in the USSR the resolution was three times smaller.
- What are your plans for Ingushetia?
- I'll stay here for at least another week. I will surely meet with the head of the Republic, will visit the Jeirakh area of world cultural heritage. It is not a slip of tongue, it is indeed part of the world's cultural heritage. I will definitely make a photo film about this unique region. All in all, I expect to take in your area at least 10 thousand photos. Wherever I go, I'll still shoot a lot, and make the next volumes of the photo album "Here she is, Mother Russia ..."
