This exposition includes twenty works from the Face of the Siege series by Boris Kudoyarov. The series that was to be published in 1970 embraces photographs of the besieged city made in 1941-1944.

During the Siege of Leningrad, Kudoyarov was employed by Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper as a war correspondent and for the 900 days of the blockade he worked in the city, on the front line, together with its defenders. Kudoyarov's works have served to illustrate many books dedicated to the heroic struggle for Leningrad. His Leningrad Cycle belongs to the classics of war reportage.

Kudoyarov's photographic epic entitled Leningrad: Siege combines several sections covering the 900 days of the blockade: First Days of the Siege, Hanko Peninsula, Severe Days of the Siege, Izhorsky and Kirovsky Plants, Active Defense, Working to Support the Battle, Ladoga. The Road of Life, Break of the Siege and more. This archive embracing nearly 3000 images is truly an accurate and consistent chronicle of those days. The author himself believed that “…one should photograph as mush as possible. For it is necessary to capture not only pivotal moments, but a detailed chronicle of events. Each reporter has to create such chronicle, as he is responsible for preserving events for people. One day, they will be grateful for such documentarily precise history of the past…”

Photographs by Boris Kudoyarov are not a mere protocol of events. His works demonstrate complex visual approach and thorough composition that unveils the essence of his subject. “Poetics of the documentary” emerges through specific photographic language: author uses spatial compositions, places main characters into active environment and uses the scenery and detail to intensify the emotional charge. His style reflects direct and natural response of a reporter to the events observed. Boris Kudoyarov created photographic narration of the extraordinary courage of Leningraders and fearful details of everyday life in the besieged city when death became an ordinary thing. While looking at these images, it seems utterly improper to discuss their photographical finesse. They capture the most dreadful days of the blockade that cannot be observed without shudder.

This exhibition is a tribute to the memory of Leningraders who lived through or deceased during the uneasy time of the war.


Venue: Dom Kino, 12 Karavannaya street