Winston Churchill once said that “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Experiencing Russia is like experiencing magical realism—to the observer, everything seems as real as real can be, and at the same time, something’s a bit odd, out of place, or straight up bizarre. Russia holds so many contrasting, vivid lives in it that it’s no wonder why actually seeing them is so mesmerizing. And as one famous Russian vodka commercial says, “Russia can’t be understood with the mind.”

Aleksandr Petrosyan, the invisible hero of today’s story, is the chronicler of these colorful people. He lives in Sankt Peterburg (Peter, as the locals call it), Russia’s second-biggest city, and has accumulated quite an impressive archive of the city’s unique people and situations. The photographer likes to capture as many different people as possible in a single frame, creating something that could somewhat represent the diverse Russian experience.

More info: aleksandrpetrosyan.com | Instagram | Facebook#1 

petrosphotos Report307pointsPOST

Brian Yurochko3 days ago

This man is the last surviving member of his WWII company… and he just found out before the parade. I can only guess the memories flooding in his mind right now….160ReplyView More Replies…View more comments

Petrosyan got his first camera as a birthday gift when he was 12; he quit and came back a few times until he became a full-fledged professional in 2000. His biggest inspiration comes from the source of his pictures, Saint Petersburg itself, where he has lived his whole life and which he knows by heart. “This is my world,” he says.#2 

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Valentina Lattante3 days ago

I love this picture!51ReplyView more comments#3 

petrosphotos Report218pointsPOST

Finch4 days ago

Morning beautiful morning. He’s looks like he’s showing respect to its glory with a slight bow.37ReplyView More Replies…View more comments

And he doesn’t fret that his photos won’t be understood that well outside the local context. “Perception depends on many different factors,” he says. “But if the picture is taken with a certain energy, the viewer will feel it, regardless of geography and culture.” And indeed, they’re well understood and appreciated by thousands of people across the world.#4 

petrosphotos Report199pointsPOST

boredpanDaman3 days ago

beautiful!21ReplyView More Replies…View more commentshttps://862dd9110ef81cbba0b91b6e1ca904f7.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html#5 

petrosphotos Report195pointsPOST

Finch3 days ago

It almost looks animated as she walks in the rain. Love the golden hue.28ReplyView more comments

This post is a perfect opportunity for you to dust off and refresh your “Meanwhile in Russia” folder. And if you like to keep your Russian memes fresh, or just want to experience more of Russia, make sure you follow this chronicler of the bizarrely amusing Russian reality. And if you missed the previous post on Bored Panda, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. And now, without further ado, let’s delve into the enigmatic, bizarre, and completely real everyday life of Russian people.#6 

petrosphotos Report187pointsPOST

boredpanDaman3 days ago

hah! niice21ReplyView more comments#7 

petrosphotos Report181pointsPOST

Finch3 days ago

The colors of those balloons is so gorgeous with the pale background. His smiling face reflects the infectious happiness from carrying those same balloons.41ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#8 

petrosphotos Report179pointsPOST

Joyce Deering3 days ago

Neither one looks very happy. But! Does everyone smile when looking out the window? Of course not. Just wonderin’.18ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#9 

petrosphotos Report172pointsPOST

Linda Hughes3 days ago

This would make an awesome jigsaw puzzle.136ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#10 

petrosphotos Report171pointsPOST

Daria Z3 days ago

Ah there’s nothing better than Keds!23ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#11 

petrosphotos Report164pointsPOST

boredpanDaman3 days ago

such a good photo!25ReplyView more comments#12 

petrosphotos Report163pointsPOST

Barry Patterson3 days ago

They use parachutes instead of storks?89ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#13 

petrosphotos Report161pointsPOST

Finch3 days ago

Van Gogh esque.28ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#14 

petrosphotos Report159pointsPOST

M O’Connell3 days ago(edited)

It takes that many soldiers to defend against Carmen Sandiego?93ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#15 

petrosphotos Report157pointsPOST

Finch3 days ago

Russian Aquaman.48ReplyView more commentshttps://862dd9110ef81cbba0b91b6e1ca904f7.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html#16 

petrosphotos Report151pointsPOST

Marion Capriotti3 days ago

Brave and awesome!52ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#17 

petrosphotos Report150pointsPOST

Finch3 days ago

Now with more people it looks reminiscent of a zombie movie scene.31ReplyView more comments#18 

petrosphotos Report149pointsPOST

Finch4 days ago

Such an intriguing contrast of how one moment in time can mean different things for different people.52ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#19 

petrosphotos Report145pointsPOST

Diane Patrick3 days ago

He has he perfect face for that hat.42ReplyView more comments#20 

petrosphotos Report139pointsPOST

Woltax4 days ago

Awww, she wants to join… C’mon – invite her!22ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#21 

petrosphotos Report138pointsPOST

Titas Burinskas4 days ago

Good technique14ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#22 

petrosphotos Report123pointsPOST

WilvanderHeijden3 days ago

When women ignore you even when you brought your tank with you….111ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#23 

petrosphotos Report122pointsPOST

Stephanie Did It3 days ago

This really makes me want to know what is going on here47ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#24 

petrosphotos Report121pointsPOST

Patty Leaton3 days ago

mum I’m on conference here30ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#25 

petrosphotos Report116pointsPOST

boredpanDaman3 days ago

cooL15ReplyView More Replies…View more commentshttps://862dd9110ef81cbba0b91b6e1ca904f7.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html#26 

petrosphotos Report114pointsPOST

boredpanDaman3 days ago

im impressed by the carpet. so cosy19ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#27 

petrosphotos Report113pointsPOST

Tanya Tuttle3 days ago

Pushed. Last photo of him. Ever.58ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#28 

petrosphotos Report101pointsPOST

Troux4 days ago

The Russian moon mission is prepared to launch…77ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#29 

petrosphotos Report97pointsPOST

WilvanderHeijden3 days ago

Natasha, bring ze flammenwerfer…37ReplyView More Replies…View more comments#30 

petrosphotos Report86pointsPOST

Finch3 days ago

And that’s how I met Vladimir…35ReplyView More Replies…View more comments

Note: this post originally had 100 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I’m passionate about social media and can’t live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

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