A fisherman returns from the ice of the Sea of Okhotsk. Life in Nekrasovka is hard. It is not only the rugged environment and the remoteness of the place that make this clear. Even the sea freezes completely in winter and connects the island with the mainland.
An old house in the old district of Nekrasovka. Ruslan and his wife Alexandra »Sasha« live in one half of this wooden hut. When the Nivkh were resettled to Nekrasovka, these huts were built and allocated to them.
Much of the Nivkh culture has already been forgotten. Only a few old people speak the language and the traditional clothing is worn only at folklore festivals. To learn something of their own culture, children meet once a week in the local clubhouse »Pelaken« and rehearse traditional dances or songs.
The wedding photo of Ruslan and Alexandra »Sasha« Nyavan. Ruslan worked in a collective farm and Alexandra worked as a dental assistant. Until they finally decided to live in Nekrasovka, following the example of their ancestors.
During the winter, which lasts around nine months of the year, the island is completely covered in snow and ice. Wool blankets in the windows provide additional insulation to keep the house warm inside.
Katja (front) surfs the internet on her cell phone while Anatoli helps his mother Sasha in the kitchen. There is plenty of time in Nekrasovka. In this remote place, there are hardly any activities for young people and no career prospects.
Andrzej collects berries together with one of his dogs. The infrastructure is very rudimentary, especially in the northern part of Sakhalin Island. In remote places – such as Nekrasovka – only the main roads are dirt tracks.
Ruslan on his fishing boat in the bay off Nekrasovka. There are only a few motorized boats. The Nyavans are one of the families who have such equipment. If Ruslan doesn't need the boat himself, he hires it out.
The traditional dish jukola – fish pickled in vinegar brine – is hung out to dry. Daniel helps his uncle Ruslan with this.
Liera is studying in St. Petersburg in a scholarship program. During the semester break, she flies back to Nekrasovka to help her family and neighbors with fishing and other tasks.
»Boss« in front of the Nyavan's home. Even though dogs are no longer used to pull sledges these days, the animals have a permanent place in the families. For example, to ward off bears that occasionally stray into the village in search of food.
Katja (center) and her friends stand around a car and listen to music. A night-time scene of youth life in Nekrasovka.
