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Documentary photographer
based in Munich, Germany

mail@janaislinger.com
+49 (0)152 28728008

In 1921 Georgia was occupied by the USSR, more than 70 years from then on Georgian culture would be decomposed by socialist doctrine. All matters of private and public life, including education and social welfare, were regulated by the Communist Party. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the establishment of a free market, it became difficult for many Georgians to find their way within the new circumstances. The reorganization of the state and the economic connection to the international community proceeded slowly. Those who did not catch up often slipped into precarious conditions, and state aid was very limited. The cultural heritage of the Soviet era is gradually being forgotten. What remains is a lack of prospects and the feeling of being on one's own.




In the late 1950s, the Soviet government built large housing estates throughout the country in order to urbanize larger areas of their territory and thus counteract the housing shortage. Microdistricts were a basic planning unit whose housing blocks sometimes held 5,000 to 10,000 residents. Apartments were allocated to families by the government according to a fixed number of square meters per person. All necessary facilities such as kindergartens, schools, health care and grocery stores were available in the districts. Today, different social and ethnic groups from the middle and lower classes live in the buildings. As everywhere in Georgia, unemployment is very high.






„I’ve been living in Tbilisi since I was born. The Georgian mentality is very different to the European one. The freedom that women have in Europe, we will not get as long as we are not part of it. As a girl, you need parents who support you, but there are not many. The role model is very deeply rooted in most people. I find it difficult to explain this problem to my foreign friends, because they often can’t understand. We all have our issues here, age doesn’t matter. I am happy most of the time, but I also have big challenges to overcome. One day I want to become a doctor. And if I want to get the best education, of course, I have to go abroad. My biggest dream is to study in Germany. After my education, I still want to return to my home country and use my skills there. This is the only way that something will change in this country." - Anastasia With the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops in spring 2022, the threat of Russia’s influence has become more real again and the fear of another war is all around. In response, the Georgian government has applied to join the European Union, two years earlier than originally planned.





Soviet medal „Veteran of Labor“ Soviet passport Book about the economic policy of the CPSU Soviet Newspaper







“My husband is a soldier, I am an artist. He fights, I draw.” - Nana Nana’s two sons with their grandmother. Together they live in a small apartment in one of Tbilisi’s microdistricts. Nutsubidze Plato District, Tbilisi After the end of the Soviet Union in 1991, the large housing estates, originally built according to Soviet regulations, had to be adapted to the new conditions. The transition to a free market economy drastically affected the situations in the settlements. Almost all the apartments in the microdistricts were privatized, which led to a great deterioration of the buildings due to the lack of funds of the residents. “I live here with my mother and our five cats. During the Soviet time, it was easier to get a good job. My mother was a doctor at that time. I deliver food. One day I would like to leave Georgia. My dream is to live in New Zealand.” - Sally Gldani VII Microdistrict, Tbilisi Nona lives with her husband, three children and her mother in the microdistrict of Gldani. Staircase, Gldani VII Microdistrict, Tbilisi “We live here with our grandchildren while their parents earn money abroad.” - Ivan





„Sabchot Sakartvelo“ [For Soviet Georgia], Book of the Communist Party from 1961, Text in Georgian and Russian language [40th Anniversary of the Establishment of Soviet Power and the Founding of the Communist Party in Georgia] „Sabchot Sakartvelo“ [For Soviet Georgia], Book of the Communist Party from 1961 „Sabchot Sakartvelo“ [For Soviet Georgia], Book of the Communist Party from 1961, Lyrics in Georgian and Russian language




Vaziani was a prosperous settlement for soldiers during the Soviet era. The military base is only a short distance away and is still in operation. Today the place is very decayed, many families live in the block buildings. Most of them are unemployed. Nevertheless, the solidarity and cohesion within the community is very strong. “Our town was built in the Soviet time by Russians for the soldiers.” - Sofiko Shops and restaurant, Vaziani “I am dancing traditional Georgian dance. Life here is good.” - Lika Church songs on YouTube in the apartment of Lika, Vaziani „Sabchot Sakartvelo“ [For Soviet Georgia], Book of the Communist Party from 1961, map of Georgia to show the economic progress under the communist regime At the end of the 18th century, Georgia and Russia concluded the Treaty of Georgiyevsk. In it, Russia guaranteed the territorial integrity of the Georgian kingdom and promised military assistance. In return, Georgia assured Russia of control over its foreign policy. It hoped to be protected from attacks by Persian and Turkish forces. However, this turned out to be a fallacy. In 1795, Tbilisi was invaded by Persian troops, whereupon Russia increased its influence over Georgia, thus finally depriving it of its independence. Georgia–Russia border, Verkhniy Lars