From the series “Land of No Return” by Victoria Sorochinski, shot in Ukrainian villages — 2009

“Life in these places is a unique synthesis of absolute paradise (luscious colors, fresh air, beautiful nature) and incredible misery. The villages’ elderly inhabitants live out their last days in the lands of their heritage. Despite all the misery in their lives, they are one with their homes and with these lands. These places are slowly fading and disappearing along with the people who were born, and will die, faithful to them.”