Inspired by Russia
Viktor Balager is a French photographer, formerly an architect by profession. Enchanted by the history, literature, and atmosphere of St. Petersburg, he moved to this city and found his calling in street photo-documentation. His photographs reminiscent of frames from a movie, showcase the poetic side of everyday life.
In February 2025 Viktor’s first solo exhibition in Paris was opened at the prestigious "EST galerie" featuring works he captured in Russia. Some of them were exhibited at the Hermitage during the XVIII Media Forum "Dialogue of Cultures".
In February 2025 Viktor’s first solo exhibition in Paris was opened at the prestigious "EST galerie" featuring works he captured in Russia. Some of them were exhibited at the Hermitage during the XVIII Media Forum "Dialogue of Cultures".
"Through my photographs, I show Russia that few Europeans know"
— How did you select the photographs for the exhibition? Are there any favorite works that are particularly important to you?
— As for the selection, I was working with the owner of the gallery and a friend who is the curator of the exhibition. When you are a photographer, it is always very difficult to choose photographs on your own, so you need help from people you trust. Of course, there were some photographs that I wanted 100% to be in the exhibition and for others there was a long online call between me in St. Petersburg and them in Paris regarding the selection.
— As for the selection, I was working with the owner of the gallery and a friend who is the curator of the exhibition. When you are a photographer, it is always very difficult to choose photographs on your own, so you need help from people you trust. Of course, there were some photographs that I wanted 100% to be in the exhibition and for others there was a long online call between me in St. Petersburg and them in Paris regarding the selection.
— What is the main theme of your Paris exhibition, and what do you want to convey to the French public through your photographs?
— The main theme was street photography and St. Petersburg, even if we included a few photographs from Moscow/Teriberka/Rostov Veliky. I want the French to have a true vision of Russia, out of all what we can ear on the news in Europe, out of all the cliche that we usually can see about Russia. I was very happy with the feedback about the opening, there were many French people, but also Russians, Ukrainians, Americans and people from Europe—all were happy to finally see Russia from the inside.
— How do you see the role of art and photography in building bridges between cultures?
— Art is very important, throughout history art has been a significant link between Russia and France, our cultures are connected to each other more than some other European countries. As for photography, I believe that in 2025, photography and street photography could become an ideal way to rebuild these bridges between France and Russia. We need it more than ever.
— The main theme was street photography and St. Petersburg, even if we included a few photographs from Moscow/Teriberka/Rostov Veliky. I want the French to have a true vision of Russia, out of all what we can ear on the news in Europe, out of all the cliche that we usually can see about Russia. I was very happy with the feedback about the opening, there were many French people, but also Russians, Ukrainians, Americans and people from Europe—all were happy to finally see Russia from the inside.
— How do you see the role of art and photography in building bridges between cultures?
— Art is very important, throughout history art has been a significant link between Russia and France, our cultures are connected to each other more than some other European countries. As for photography, I believe that in 2025, photography and street photography could become an ideal way to rebuild these bridges between France and Russia. We need it more than ever.
— Which aspects of Russian culture or society have most strongly influenced your photography? How has this affected your craft and you specifically? Can you give specific examples?
— I think it’s the contrast, the contrast between big cities like Saint-Petersburg, Moscow and villages, the contrast between summer and winter (much more pronounced than in Europe). The contrast in architecture in St. Petersburg, for example, between the imperial era and the Soviet era. For me, all these contrasts are very beautiful, important to preserve and interesting. Life away from big cities is different and can be very challenging, but I always see positive people who love their land and take pride in it.
— I think it’s the contrast, the contrast between big cities like Saint-Petersburg, Moscow and villages, the contrast between summer and winter (much more pronounced than in Europe). The contrast in architecture in St. Petersburg, for example, between the imperial era and the Soviet era. For me, all these contrasts are very beautiful, important to preserve and interesting. Life away from big cities is different and can be very challenging, but I always see positive people who love their land and take pride in it.
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