Photographer Daria Nazarova’s familial history is deeply connected to Mologa, a once inhabited land, now submerged beneath the Rybinsk reservoir. Between 1937 and 1941, more than 130,000 people were forcibly displaced to make way for a hydroelectric dam.

Older houses were burned, stone houses were destroyed, while the rest were dismantled and transported to new locations. Those who were able, moved to nearby places often close to the seashore. However, many residents couldn't afford to move their homes and either sold them at cheap prices or became homeless. Unable to survive the shocks of illness, poverty and harsh environments, many previous residents died as a result. In total, an estimated 700 villages were flooded; while more than 50 churches, 3 monasteries, noble estates with surrounding territories, gardens, parks, and the estate of Musin-Pushkin were destroyed and drowned at the order of a hand.

Daria found herself drawn to these places in search of stories to locate her past. Indifference, she notes, “is impossible now, as it is impossible to change the past.” Articles were not enough; Daria searched restlessly for live witnesses, those who kept the stories of their relatives, “I needed photos, documents, letters, evidence.” However, for some time there had been a ban on speaking of Mologa leaving former residents too afraid to share information. Despite the more recent opportunities to recount Mologa’s history, many people have remained in silent acceptance. With a camera in hand, Daria chases the inevitability that soon, there will be no one left to remember Mologa.

- Alexa Fahlman

Daria on ig

Daria's website