It was haunting to discover that some elements of the landscape have not changed in the last 70 years. My uncle described a railway bridge leading into Kozielsk where they had been ambushed and my grandfather was shot. As I stood on that bridge, I could see exactly where that scene had taken place. That was a moment of intense connection. I spent a couple of days in the area and kept returning to that bridge, reigniting that feeling. I definitely gained a new perspective on time while working on this project. I am not sure if it maybe comes with age, or if it has come through this work, but suddenly 70 years does not feel that long ago to me any more. Landscape changes so much slower than people are equipped to notice and appreciate. We need to make time lapses to speed up and observe the slow change in the landscape. But as I walked, it was almost like being in a time capsule. The trees, the roads, the rocks and hills looked the same to me as they had to my grandfather, I am sure of it now. At times I almost felt we were occupying the same space, crossing the river Oka at the same time, keeping to the same path, hearing the same foresters’ saws in the distance. My connection with the landscape was very strong and somehow inexplicable. As if it were my ancestors’ memories.

Interview: Anastasiia Fedorova

Image: Michal Iwanovski