In 1897, Russian king Nicholai II provide land for immigrants from Estonia. Land in the Novosibirsk region, Kyshtovskaya township, near the village of Pustovalovka. As the legend, the wives of immigrants arrived after and did not want to live in this place. They chose another, between two rivers. And now Russian Estonians live here. People talk in Estonian and in Russian here. The first settlers were Yan Cerd, Yan Gyammer and Adam Kevay. Now people call Nikolaevka “Little Estonia”.

Winter in Russia

It is possible to get to Nikolaevka only high jeep or tractor. Road to Nikolayevka is the same as the field mud-porridge when the rains.

In the village live less than 100 people now. There’s a lot of meat and potatoes, but the people are out of work and money. People can not sell all of the potatoes and meat, because it is not convenient to go to town.

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

 

The first settlers Samuel Kevay and Lina Kevay
The first settlers Samuel Kevay and Lina Kevay
Tanya and Victor
Tanya and Victor

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Before dancing at the club. Youth party
Before dancing at the club. Youth party
Dancing in the club
Dancing in the club

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

 

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Larisa Brickman and the old camera in her home collection
Larisa Brickman and the old camera in her home collection
Endla Gyammer, 82 years. Endla have 7 children, 21 grandchildren and 7 grandson.
Endla Gyammer, 82 years. Endla have 7 children, 21 grandchildren and 7 grandson.

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Mila Kevai
Mila Kevai
Mother and daughter
Mother and daughter

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Estonian village Nikolaevka in Russia

Midsummer Night celebration
Midsummer Night celebration

 

2 thoughts on “Nikolaevka, Little Estonia in Russia. Photo Story about village life”

  1. Anna; I have enjoyed viewing your photography very much! I travelled to Estonia and Russia last September and I was quite startled at the poverty of the Russian people along the road from Tallinn to St. Petersburg. Your photos capture the feeling I got when viewing this land for the first time. Excellent work!

    Sincerely,

    Janie Behr, South Carolina, USA

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.