There is one and only road in Vorkuta, a 54 km closed circle that connected 14 districts and their coal mines. Thirty years later, ten districts are neglected.

The mine of Vorkouta. Only four mines remain in activity.

Vorkuta is situated above the Arctic Circle, trees do not grow any more and the vegetation exists only in summer. The city installs big covers decorated with flowers to cheer up inhabitants.

On the square of the Victory, the children play on tanks.

We are in May, 2015. The thaw of the tundra makes all the tracks impracticable. In town, the snow gathered in heaps is darkened by the dust of the road and the mines.

On the square of the Victory

The soil is invaded by old cans accumulated during the winter months. In two weeks, the melting of the snow will be finished, and we will try to make a face of the landscape.

A kid in front of the river Vorkouta. It separates the new town from the old district Rudnik, the historical heart, before the time of the gulag.

Five degrees outside but the inside of the flats is always well heated. Danil prepares Kvas, a sparkling, refreshing drink made from fermented rye flour, "the Russian Coca".

The truck made by Sacha himself at Vorgachor.

Sacha in front on his garage at Vorgachor.

Culture House at Severni

During half of the year, sun never goes down and stays for a long time near the horizon.

Daria looks every day at the landscape and her old district, Rudnik, in front of her. Many elderly spent their childhood over there. As I leave, she wishes me "May your road be green".

The old city, or district Rudnik, is situated on the east shore of Vorkuta. The first inhabitants were relocated in large building built for the workers of the Gulag.

After 3 months of continuous night and seven months of snow, the kids can finally walk outdoors in the nature, and the young people practice shooting with their rifle.

Rudnik, the old town, is the favourite promenade of lovers, schoolchildren and bandits. Perched on a roof, Elena says “All Russians are like that, they are not afraid”.

Rest of the gulag near Rudnik.

Hotel Vorkuta.

Ice hockey training

Summer end.

Ice hockey training

First checlicki of the year

Bana with Danil’s friends

Ice hockey training

Natalia is a friend of Danil, but she is angry with Micha who is a lawyer and has not succeeded in acquitting her bandit husband, although he has managed to reduce his sentence.

The district of Komsomolski. The mine is closed but some people still live here waiting to be relocated to active areas.

On the calso, the ring.

At Micha’s flat, a friend of Danil. Micha explains: "Previous generations had traditionally a piano in their living room, but nowadays we have a guitar! "

Seen on the active mine of Vorgachor. Ten other mines and their districts were abandoned.

A fox at home.

In a lively discussion on how to improve the world, Danil tries to translate the intricacies of Russian with Google translate.

The road of Vorkuta is a closed circle, one must wait summer in 4x4, or winter in snow bike, to push the stroll towards the Arctic Ocean or the mounts Ural.

The interior of the school of the former district of Promishleni. Each neighborhood was like a small town with its shops, its school, its gym ...

The old district of Severni. During the Gulag time, every district associated with its coal mine, welcomed all the workers, their families, stores�

Hunting trip along the former water pipelines. Thirty years ago, people lived here. The nature takes back her rights.

The Severstal trains also circulate in circles, carrying coal from the mines still in operation.

In the bathroom of Danil. Having dipped it into the boiling water, he has to pluck, empty, cook and eat this wild goose!

Mirou Mir, Peace in the world. Former city of Gulag, situated in the North of the mounts Ural in Russia, Vorkuta is the most oriental city of geographical Europe.

Hunting near the old mines. Earth and coal are intertwined. It�s night, it�s cold, but it�s daylight.