Soviet Union 1979-1989



It was the period of stagnation with Leonid Brezhnev as leader. An immense country with no borders.

One currency: the ruble. One religion: communism.



Everyone was living in poverty with a certain calm and resignation. All basic needs as food, health care and education were guaranteed. The people were friendly and there were no internal conflicts.



The war in Afghanistan was the ultimate breakpoint which led to the collapse of the system.



The transitions came by Mikhael Gorbatsov and his perestroika. As a shock therapy the lives of many Soviet citizens were shaken.



This book will take you thousands of kilometers by train, airplane and coach from Moscow to Leningrad, Kiev, Yalta, Tbilisi, Baku, Aschabad, Bukhara, Samarkand, Tashkent, Irkutsk and Novosibirsk back to Moscow.



Experience these times by photographs taken during different journeys through a country that no longer exists. And make your own judgement.