USSR gypsies by Soviet photographer Ljalja Kuznetsova Ljalja Kuznetsova was a participant of the legendary group “TASMA”. Since the mid-80s her works have been exhibited and published in the US and Europe, including the gallery of Art in Washington. Awards: Leica Medal of Excellence 1997 Grand Prix of the City of Paris Together with Koudelka's volume of the same name, this book represents the most important photographic publication on gypsies, focusing on the Stan populations of the former Soviet area. An unmissable book for lovers of the genre. Ljalja Kuznetsova: Gypsies, Free spirits of The Open Steppe First Edition 1998 Hardback in dust jacket This collection of photographs reveal a Russia most Westerners do not know, or might not believe still exists. Children playing on the tombs of a graveyard; families and friends gathering around a meal in scenes reminiscent of Brueghel's opulent paintings, gypsies preparing for festivities or rituals, posing, dancing or laughing. For the last 15 years Ljalja Kuznetsova has been documenting the people of her country with compassion and an understanding of their spirit. Her photographs of her from the Ukraine, Odessa, Kazan, Usbekistan and Turkmenistan bring to life the place and its people of her. She 38she tells of myth and history, providing stories of humour, pride, and fortitude of character that has survived the cultural turmoil in the Soviet Union, and will hopefully resist the ongoing pressure in the changing Russian confederation.