The Russian city of Vorkuta sits north of the Arctic Circle, 200km away from the Arctic Ocean, and almost 2000km from the Russian capital Moscow. It takes two days via train to reach.

The Amber Room, the 'eighth wonder of the world' that the Nazis disappeared and Russia took 23 years to rebuild

The Amber Room, a lavish chamber originally designed for Prussian royalty and later gifted to Russia, was dismantled by the Nazis during World War II and its whereabouts remain a mystery. Despite extensive searches, the room was never found, leading to a 23-year reconstruction effort by the Soviet Union. The recreated Amber Room is now displayed in the Catherine Palace in St. Petersburg, showcasing the historical and artistic significance of the original masterpiece.

The USSR’s secret Siberian 'democracy'

In the Siberian town of Akademgorodok, residents experienced a unique cultural freedom during the USSR era, making it a significant research hub. Conceived in the late 1950s by mathematician Mikhail Lavrentyev and Premier Nikita Khrushchev, the town thrived in the 1960s with numerous science and technology institutes. However, political conservatism in the late 1960s led to the shutdown of social clubs. Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian government reinvested in the town in the mid-2000s, attracting international tech companies and shifting its research focus to technology innovation.

The USSR’s secret Siberian 'democracy'

In the Siberian town of Akademgorodok, residents experienced unique cultural freedom during the USSR era, making it a significant research hub. Conceived in the late 1950s by mathematician Mikhail Lavrentyev and then-premier Nikita Khrushchev, the town flourished with numerous science and technology institutes. Despite political conservatism in the late 1960s leading to the shutdown of social clubs, the town continued to thrive academically. Post-Soviet Union collapse, the town saw a decline but was revitalized in the mid-2000s with government reinvestment and the establishment of international tech companies.

Strangers at Home

In Europe, the influx of immigrants and the economic crisis have fueled xenophobia and resentment towards minorities such as the Roma and Jews. Politicians are using these groups as scapegoats, leading to a rise in extremist political power and protests by white Europeans. This has caused millions to feel alienated in their own countries. The Strangers at Home initiative captures these sentiments through short films and stories from various European storytellers.