Spasibo

Davide Monteleone was born on December 16, 1974 in Potenza, Italy. Before his picture story Spasibo was created, Davide Monteleone has travelled widely though the Caucasus since 2001 and clearly has a real understanding and connection to the region. But the gloomy post-conflict images are mixed with more upbeat moments of a new Chechnya, family parties, smart cars and portraits of beautiful young women on their wedding day. His images are filled with haunting, bleak images of darkness but it also shows the strength and endurance of these remarkable people.

Davide Monteleone’s study on identity gradually became the story of a compromise, that which all the inhabitants of this republic are forced to accept from the authorities in return for a better life. As he was told by a friend in the mountains around Itum-Kali quoting a letter written by Yermolov to Tsar Nicolas I, during the Caucasus campaign: “The Chechens are a combative people, difficult to conquer, easier to buy“. Spasibo!

Spasibo exhibition is shown in the Chechnya Square in Kaunas until October 12.