Where does Russia begin?

Where does Russia begin?

From the Kuril islands?

From Kamchatka?

Or from the Commander?

What do her steppe eyes sadden for?

Over the reeds of all her lakes?

Russia begins

From the tongs

From the toilet bowl

From the telephone

From the bottle

From the plastic bag

From the clyster

From the cigarette

From the gas mask

From the iron

From the boiler

That’s her glory.

She is cruel.

She keeps silent, tortures,

murders in the dark.

Where does Russia begin is a publication based on a personal poem, which is also called “Where does Russia begin?”. The poem refers to the typical cultural expression in Russian patriotic art, where the size of the country is being celebrated. Instead of the typical celebration, “Where does Russia begin?” explores the long-rooted issue of torture and violence of the Russian state, especially relevant in the context of its contemporary war crimes in Ukraine. The work also lists 9 casual objects that are often used to torture people in Russian prisons, explaining how and where they are usually used and for each object a proven case from the past is provided.