Personal Projects: Ania's Mezhyhirya

All images were taken at deposed Ukranian President Viktor Yanukovych's private estate Mezhyhirya, 50KM north of Kiev on the banks of the Dnieper. It is protected by a 5 metre fence running around most of the 34 mile perimeter. 

During the pro-Europe Maiden demonstrations in Feb 2014 activists captured the Yanukovich power base. The idea was to preserve the lavish house and compunds so that the people could see for the first time how their President had lived. Despite the chaotic situation at this time, the opulant buildings and most of their contents have been retained to show the extreme wealth divide within the country. 

When Mezhyhiria was opened to the public, tens of thousands queued to see it. Petro Oliynyk became the sole guide to the Yanukovych house where he now lives. Speaking exclusively in Ukranian, only he can give tours to small groups arranged in advance. He is a member of the UPA which is a Nationalist organisation involved in the revolution.  

I photographed Ania here to symbolise the future of a country in transition against a background of corruption.  

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