I grew up in a Russian and Azerbaijani Jewish family. My dad grew up in Baku city. And I remember my childhood as a series of photographs - deserted beaches in Buzovny (37 km from the capital of Azerbaijan), Baku boulevard and grandmother's baklava (one of the most delicious sweets for the cuisine of Azerbaijan and many other Eastern countries). I never felt like a real Azerbaijani. But I have always felt the spirit of this country and this people inside my blood. 

During my short-term photo project "fiery_FACES" I met different but in their own way incredible people from Azerbaijan. I met two brothers and two sisters from the village of Sheki (a village located in the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus, 380 km west of Baku). I met a ballet dancer who is now studying at the Bolshoi Theater Academy in Moscow. I met a girl Parviz, who lost her sight during the shelling on the border with Armenia. I met Sadig, Adela and Alina "sunny" children (children with Down syndrome) from Baku. And many others.

All these people are not only a part of Azerbaijan, but also a part of me and my national identity.

All of them are a little proudish, not ideal, somewhat naive. But they are definitely fiery people.

P.S. I am proud that my photos from this project has become part of the annual photo book "Changing Asia 2023" published by the largest Asian newspaper China Daily and the leading regional alliance of news publications - Asia News Network (ANN).