Diana Oganova

Georgian photographer Dina Oganova mainly works on long-term projects in Georgia and the post-Soviet countries. She is an author of the first Georgian handmade limited edition (87) photo book “My Place”, which is in the personal collection of several museums, including the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The ongoing project since 2007 “I am Georgia” is one of the most important projects in the photographer’s career.

Sakartvelo is Dina Oganeva`s home country. She says that she is very happy and proud that she was born and raised up there. Although it is very small but with a big heart country. Population is around 4 million people, which 1/3 prefer to live in the capital – Tbilisi. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. Georgia is one of the 15 republics of the former USSR. After the break up the Soviet Union (1991) it became independent. There are a lot of refugees because of the civil war(1992) and war with Russia(2008). Although Abkhazia and South Ossetia that considered the most beautiful places of the country are occupied, but legally they are still part of Georgia. Russia has recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent countries.

People in Georgia are very traditional. They have a lot of traditional holidays, especially religious holidays in different parts of Georgia. About 80% of the population are Orthodox.

Dina Oganova: “Georgia is something special for me and it’s always hard to explain with words. It’s the biggest love, pain and happiness at the same time, fresh air and new sounds, real people with real stories around, friends and family album, red wine, mountains and waves, beautiful dance and smell of the past, magic …It’s a dreamland.”