The pictures Putin doesn't want you to see: Photographers capture the poverty and real-life strains of the residents of Sochi

[Peikko 1,575]

Rob Hornstra and Arnold van Bruggen spent 5 years in region photographing ordinary life Say Sochi is unlikely spot for Winter Games...because there's no snow Photos include portraits of strippers and children holding Kalashnikovs Say area is plagued with various problems and that 'There's a big chance terrorists will try to disrupt these Games'

Two journalists who spent five years documenting Sochi, Russia and the North Caucasus have been barred from attending this year's Olympic Games -- but not before releasing startling photos of the city. Rob Hornstra's photographs, coupled with Arnold van Bruggen's writing, together form The Sochi Project.The project aims to show what ordinary life is like in the region.

The Sochi Project was largely crowd funded, according to its website, taking donations from more than 650 private donors between 2009 and 2013.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2542017/The-pictures-Putin-didnt-want-photographers-spent-years-photographing-bizarre-Olympic-site-Sochi-subtropical-conflict-zone-BARRED-attending-games.html#ixzz2qretpfKi

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k

[Darnell 8,478]

Sochi has strippers? Excelsior !

Wait - no snow in Sochi !!! uh ohs !

[Peikko 1,575]

Olympic venue choices are strange sometimes.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Rob Hornstra and Arnold van Bruggen spent 5 years in region photographing ordinary life Say Sochi is unlikely spot for Winter Games...because there's no snow Photos include portraits of strippers and children holding Kalashnikovs Say area is plagued with various problems and that 'There's a big chance terrorists will try to disrupt these Games'

Two journalists who spent five years documenting Sochi, Russia and the North Caucasus have been barred from attending this year's Olympic Games -- but not before releasing startling photos of the city. Rob Hornstra's photographs, coupled with Arnold van Bruggen's writing, together form The Sochi Project.The project aims to show what ordinary life is like in the region.

The Sochi Project was largely crowd funded, according to its website, taking donations from more than 650 private donors between 2009 and 2013.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2542017/The-pictures-Putin-didnt-want-photographers-spent-years-photographing-bizarre-Olympic-site-Sochi-subtropical-conflict-zone-BARRED-attending-games.html#ixzz2qretpfKi

Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

k

These pix are very telling. Another 3rd world country that might consider put their resources into schools and other necessities before they should try to hide its own ailments.

Edited January 20, 2014 by Gegel

[Dave&Roza 748]

Sochi has strippers? Excelsior !

Wait - no snow in Sochi !!! uh ohs !

Do not worry Darnell. According to the (Russian) news last night there is more snow then they know what to do with. If fact they are complaining of too much snow in Sochi for the Olympics. So it would appear that they have both this year. You can relax.

Dave

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

A land of opportunity indeed.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I always find it amazing how western media tries to run down other places and present them as dangerous and poor when it comes to events like the Olympics and the World Cup. We saw it with the world cup in South Africa and for Brazil. If you were taking photographs in New York, Detroit or London you could find scores of homeless people living under bridges etc and run down areas where drug taking and prostitution happen openly but it doesn't mean that the whole area should be avoided. Not to mention home grown Islamic terrorist cells in many western countries. There is a real threat from terrorism at Sochi but there was for the London Olympics (the authorities even put anti aircraft missiles in urban areas) and they passed off successfully.

[JohnR! 5,495]

A land of opportunity indeed.

Especially if you own a wrecking ball!!

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

For five years work they certainly have some very lame and bland photos.. I think I could take as equally unappealing photos of pretty much any given city on earth.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Why be such a Debbie Downer.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Sochi has strippers? Excelsior !

Wait - no snow in Sochi !!! uh ohs !

I didn't know you were a Marvel Fan Darnell? What books do you read?

[Darnell 8,478]

eh - mostly i just purchase for my son's collection, not paying any attention. He usually gives me a list, and I scour to find them. I do go to the Dallas ComicCons, dressing up and doing photo shoots, but that's only some artistic outlet for me - I've almost decided to stop going as I keep getting approached for naked liasons, and I don't play. Unsure if my wife and I will do anything after she immigrates here, we've more interest in organic micro-farms and managing the real-estate that I bought for her last year.

So, I couldn't really tell you about books. I can talk about stores, private collectors, estate sales, trading days, etc, but mostly that's all past. My son finally figured out how I chase books and mostly does his own work, till he gets stumped again.

It's similar to game systems - don't know sh|t about them, but I can hook one up and hand over the controls to the person that has the penchant to play a game.

Now, if'n you wanted to talk about SCI-FI authors, I'm verra old school and can write coherently of Heinlein.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

eh - mostly i just purchase for my son's collection, not paying any attention. He usually gives me a list, and I scour to find them. I do go to the Dallas ComicCons, dressing up and doing photo shoots, but that's only some artistic outlet for me - I've almost decided to stop going as I keep getting approached for naked liasons, and I don't play. Unsure if my wife and I will do anything after she immigrates here, we've more interest in organic micro-farms and managing the real-estate that I bought for her last year.

So, I couldn't really tell you about books. I can talk about stores, private collectors, estate sales, trading days, etc, but mostly that's all past. My son finally figured out how I chase books and mostly does his own work, till he gets stumped again.

It's similar to game systems - don't know sh|t about them, but I can hook one up and hand over the controls to the person that has the penchant to play a game.

Now, if'n you wanted to talk about SCI-FI authors, I'm verra old school and can write coherently of Heinlein.

Oh ok, just the Stan Lee reference got to me. I'm big into Marvel, can't stand DC,(except Batman because,well, he's Batman).

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

eh - mostly i just purchase for my son's collection, not paying any attention. He usually gives me a list, and I scour to find them. I do go to the Dallas ComicCons, dressing up and doing photo shoots, but that's only some artistic outlet for me - I've almost decided to stop going as I keep getting approached for naked liasons, and I don't play. Unsure if my wife and I will do anything after she immigrates here, we've more interest in organic micro-farms and managing the real-estate that I bought for her last year.

So, I couldn't really tell you about books. I can talk about stores, private collectors, estate sales, trading days, etc, but mostly that's all past. My son finally figured out how I chase books and mostly does his own work, till he gets stumped again.

It's similar to game systems - don't know sh|t about them, but I can hook one up and hand over the controls to the person that has the penchant to play a game.

Now, if'n you wanted to talk about SCI-FI authors, I'm verra old school and can write coherently of Heinlein.

Micro-farming, eh? Do tell. What do you guys grow, and what does your setup look like?