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Qabala, Azerbaijan, 2016.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter VI: Public spaces
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Sion, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
HIGHLANDERS. THE CAUCASUS & THE ALPS
Chapter VI: Public spaces
THE ALPS
Swiss society, regardless of the canton (and, for that matter, the presence of mountains), is less collective than Caucasian. Western traditions, the pursuit of individualism, drastic technical and economic growth — all these were not conducive to cohesion and the desire for unity.
This is noticeable both in communication with people and in the organization of urban space. During the Anthropogeos expedition in the canton of Valais, for example, the Swiss who accompanied us got to know several of his relatives, although he had lived with them in the same village all his life. There just was no occasion before.
THE ALPS
Swiss society, regardless of the canton (and, for that matter, the presence of mountains), is less collective than Caucasian. Western traditions, the pursuit of individualism, drastic technical and economic growth — all these were not conducive to cohesion and the desire for unity.
This is noticeable both in communication with people and in the organization of urban space. During the Anthropogeos expedition in the canton of Valais, for example, the Swiss who accompanied us got to know several of his relatives, although he had lived with them in the same village all his life. There just was no occasion before.
THE CAUCASUS
In the mountain villages of the Caucasus there are special "catch-up places" for communication, but nevertheless, stores, markets, and service facilities are still the main places for spontaneous meetings of the inhabitants. In rural shops you can buy everything — from food and household chemicals to carpets.
THE CAUCASUS
In the mountain villages of the Caucasus there are special "catch-up places" for communication, but nevertheless, stores, markets, and service facilities are still the main places for spontaneous meetings of the inhabitants. In rural shops you can buy everything — from food and household chemicals to carpets.
Akhty, Dagestan, 2016.
Both buyer and seller are usually neighbors who know each other well. Therefore, purchases are often made "by agreement". The seller makes a notice of the debt amount in a notebook, and the buyer somehow gives the money later.
Both buyer and seller are usually neighbors who know each other well. Therefore, purchases are often made "by agreement". The seller makes a notice of the debt amount in a notebook, and the buyer somehow gives the money later.
THE ALPS
In Switzerland, the squares and terraces of cafés in cities are the places for socializing, while in villages this role is taken over by local stores, hairdressers and markets.
THE ALPS
In Switzerland, the squares and terraces of cafés in cities are the places for socializing, while in villages this role is taken over by local stores, hairdressers and markets.
Sion, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
SHOPS AND MARKETS
SHOPS AND MARKETS
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Saviese, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
CATHERINE’S STORE
The Alps
The Alps
Catherine was a hairdresser, and during the pandemic she opened a local grocery store. She felt the need for a little shop where you can buy everything at once — and the concept worked very successfully.
CATHERINE’S STORE
The Alps
Catherine was a hairdresser, and during the pandemic she opened a local grocery store. She felt the need for a little shop where you can buy everything at once — and the concept worked very successfully.
The assortment there is very broad: from yogurts to honey and soaps, from cider and berry infusion to popcorn and meat chips. Many of Catherine’s suppliers are members of her family: mother-in-law, brother, cousins and second cousins. There are not many families in Saviese at all, and most of its residents are connected to each other in one way or another.
Customers come to the store to exchange news — with each other and with Catherine. The convenient location contributes to this: the shop is located in the very center of the village next to the post office.
Customers come to the store to exchange news — with each other and with Catherine. The convenient location contributes to this: the shop is located in the very center of the village next to the post office.
The assortment there is very broad: from yogurts to honey and soaps, from cider and berry infusion to popcorn and meat chips. Many of Catherine’s suppliers are members of her family: mother-in-law, brother, cousins and second cousins. There are not many families in Saviese at all, and most of its residents are connected to each other in one way or another.
Customers come to the store to exchange news — with each other and with Catherine. The convenient location contributes to this: the shop is located in the very center of the village next to the post office.
Customers come to the store to exchange news — with each other and with Catherine. The convenient location contributes to this: the shop is located in the very center of the village next to the post office.
In larger stores, where there are a lot of random people, there is also time for a brief conversation between buyers and sellers, though such conversations remind a small talk.
In larger stores, where there are a lot of random people, there is also time for a brief conversation between buyers and sellers, though such conversations remind a small talk.
Sion, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Sion, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
DERBENT MARKET
The Caucasus
In the Derbent market, pickle stalls and meat rows are traditionally considered Lezgian. The bazaar of Derbent is always lively and noisy, but at the time of filming the rows were half empty, as many buyers and the main traders — Shiite Azerbaijanis — were in mourning after the Ashura commemorative rituals.
DERBENT MARKET
The Caucasus
In the Derbent market, pickle stalls and meat rows are traditionally considered Lezgian. The bazaar of Derbent is always lively and noisy, but at the time of filming the rows were half empty, as many buyers and the main traders — Shiite Azerbaijanis — were in mourning after the Ashura commemorative rituals.
Market, Derbent, 2016.
Market, Derbent, 2016
There are some Dagestani knitwear, mainly socks, for sale in one corner of the market. The women sell the products of different craftswomen and knit themselves. In addition, they sell yarn dyes and already dyed skeins. There are socks with Lezgian, Tabasaran and Kubachin patterns. The ornament with a rose is considered Lezgian, although it is knitted by craftswomen of different nationalities.
There are some Dagestani knitwear, mainly socks, for sale in one corner of the market. The women sell the products of different craftswomen and knit themselves. In addition, they sell yarn dyes and already dyed skeins. There are socks with Lezgian, Tabasaran and Kubachin patterns. The ornament with a rose is considered Lezgian, although it is knitted by craftswomen of different nationalities.
Derbent, Dagestan, 2016.
Derbent, Dagestan, 2016.
LOCAL MARKETS
Swiss regular markets open once a week, usually on Fridays or Saturdays.
The Alps
Even at small markets in Switzerland you will meet sellers from neighboring countries — it is only a few hours drive from the borders in each direction, and it is much more profitable to sell in Switzerland.
LOCAL MARKETS
The Alps
Swiss regular markets open once a week, usually on Fridays or Saturdays.
Even at small markets in Switzerland you will meet sellers from neighboring countries — it is only a few hours drive from the borders in each direction, and it is much more profitable to sell in Switzerland.
This Italian brings olives and cheeses to Switzerland, including parmesan from the Italian mountains. He comes to Switzerland every week to trade — the price difference with neighboring Italy is 200−300%.
This Italian brings olives and cheeses to Switzerland, including parmesan from the Italian mountains. He comes to Switzerland every week to trade — the price difference with neighboring Italy is 200−300%.
Zurich, Switzerland, 2021.
Zurich, Switzerland, 2021.
ANNUAL FAIR
The Alps
The Alps
One of the most important events of the entire canton of Valais and all surrounding areas is the annual Foire du Valais in Martigny. This is a kind of performance show of the national economy on a local level. Everyone comes here — from small local goods producers to television, radio and startups.
ANNUAL FAIR
The Alps
One of the most important events of the entire canton of Valais and all surrounding areas is the annual Foire du Valais in Martigny. This is a kind of performance show of the national economy on a local level. Everyone comes here — from small local goods producers to television, radio and startups.
The fair lasts 10 days, non-professionals go directly to the food pavilion — to taste and buy local delicacies from producers. And it is also a place of communication between near and far neighbors: bars and restaurants are set up in the pavilions, where you can discuss the news of the past year without leaving the counters.
Martigny, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
The fair lasts 10 days, non-professionals go directly to the food pavilion — to taste and buy local delicacies from producers. And it is also a place of communication between near and far neighbors: bars and restaurants are set up in the pavilions, where you can discuss the news of the past year without leaving the counters.
The most important event of the year for the local livestock farmers is the “queen” cows fights. They are the main entertainment during the fair. They last all Sunday, a stone's throw from the pavilions of the Foire du Valais fair in the Roman arena of the city of Martigny. Fights have been held annually since about the 1920s.
The most important event of the year for the local livestock farmers is the “queen” cows fights. They are the main entertainment during the fair. They last all Sunday, a stone's throw from the pavilions of the Foire du Valais fair in the Roman arena of the city of Martigny. Fights have been held annually since about the 1920s.
Martigny, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
Martigny, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
In the arena, cows are not encouraged or stimulated to fight — as soon as they are in the same place with their rivals, they themselves instinctively begin to defend their territory: they dig the ground with one hoof and put on their horns.
This show is broadcast on local television, and you can bet on the winner. The competition takes place in three weight categories. Qualifying bouts are held in the morning and finals are in the afternoon.
This show is broadcast on local television, and you can bet on the winner. The competition takes place in three weight categories. Qualifying bouts are held in the morning and finals are in the afternoon.
Martigny, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
In the arena, cows are not encouraged or stimulated to fight — as soon as they are in the same place with their rivals, they themselves instinctively begin to defend their territory: they dig the ground with one hoof and put on their horns.
This show is broadcast on local television, and you can bet on the winner. The competition takes place in three weight categories. Qualifying bouts are held in the morning and finals are in the afternoon.
This show is broadcast on local television, and you can bet on the winner. The competition takes place in three weight categories. Qualifying bouts are held in the morning and finals are in the afternoon.
Martigny, Canton of Valais, Switzerland, 2021.
MINERAL SPRINGS AND BATHS
MINERAL SPRINGS AND BATHS
Public baths are another traditional public place both in the Caucasus and in Switzerland.
Public baths are another traditional public place both in the Caucasus and in Switzerland.
BATHS IN AKHTY
The Akhtyn baths, one of the main attractions of the Dagestan village, were built in the place where the mineral water comes out, the temperature of which ranges from 38° to 68°C.
The Caucasus
Akhty, Dagestan, 2018.
BATHS IN AKHTY
The Caucasus
The Akhtyn baths, one of the main attractions of the Dagestan village, were built in the place where the mineral water comes out, the temperature of which ranges from 38° to 68°C.
Akhty, Dagestan, 2018.
THERMAL BATHS IN ANDEER
The Alps
The Alps
Switzerland's thermal waters are one of the country's tourist assets, and there are many spas with healing waters in the mountains. These mineral baths in Andeer are mostly visited by locals. The village, once an important transportation hub in the Roman Empire, is now far from the main roads and the borders of neighboring states. Most Swiss come here on weekends to take a steam bath and hike the trails in the mountains. The main contingent is married couples and elderly friends.
THERMAL BATHS IN ANDEER
The Alps
Switzerland's thermal waters are one of the country's tourist assets, and there are many spas with healing waters in the mountains. These mineral baths in Andeer are mostly visited by locals. The village, once an important transportation hub in the Roman Empire, is now far from the main roads and the borders of neighboring states. Most Swiss come here on weekends to take a steam bath and hike the trails in the mountains. The main contingent is married couples and elderly friends.
Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
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Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
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Andeer, Canton of Grisons, Switzerland, 2021.
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Anthropogeos. 2021
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