The Blood of the Narts

Fyodor Telkov

 2021 — Ossetia, North Caucasus

About this series

Every boy in Ossetia (North Caucasus) is engaged in some form of martial arts, but the most popular sport is free-style wrestling. Being strong, demonstrating bravery and following the fighting traditions of the Caucasus is extremely important. A machismo has developed in Ossetia that is closely linked to its cultural heritage.
Ossetia has gone through periods throughout its history where the very existence of its people was under threat. This has produced a special character — proud men whose lives are a permanent struggle for life and freedom.
This is reinforced by folklore of the region’s warrior culture, known as the Nart sagas. The tales of heroes – strong, bold and free – are part of the national consciousness. One of the most popular male names is Soslan, a hero born from the “womb” of a stone quenched by the heavenly blacksmith with the milk of a she-wolf.

© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov
© Fyodor Telkov

Photographer: Fyodor Telkov 
Nationality: russian
Based in: Yekaterinburg, Russia
Website: fyodortelkov.ru
Instagram: @fyodortelkov

Fyodor Telkov was born in 1986 in Nizhniy Tagil, Russia, now is based in Yekaterinburg. Member of the Union of Photo Artists of Russia since 2010.

Awards:
Winner of the state prize in the field of contemporary art “Innovation 2020” in the category “Project of the year” in the group of artists with Alexander Sorin and Natalia Konradova (Russia, 2020)
Finalist of the XI Sergey Kuryokhin contemporary art award in the category “Best work of visual art” in a group of artists with Alexander Sorin and Natalia Konradova (Russia, 2020)
Winner, Urbanautica, Sacred. The experience of beyond (Italy, 2020)
Shortlist, Direct Look photocontest (Russia, 2019, 2017)
Winner, Obscura Festival of Photography (Malaysia’s, 2018)
Shortlist, New East Photo Prize (United Kingdom, 2018)
Shortlist, Premio Gabriele Basilico 2nd edition (Italy, 2018)
Winner, Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest (Russia, 2018, 2016)
Winner, Young photographers of Russia Contest (Russia, 2018, 2016, 2013, 2009)
Winner, Fotocanal Photography BOOK Contest (Spain, 2016)
Shortlist, International Photomuseum Grant Contest (United Kingdom, 2016)
Winner, Photovisa International Photography Festival (Russia, 2014)
Winner, Alexander Efremov Photojournalism Contest (Russia, 2014, 2012, 2011)
Winner, Young Photography Contest (Russia, 2013, 2011, 2010)
Winner, Circuito OFF Competition (Festival di Cortona, Italy, 2013)
Winner, The Best Photographer 2010 National Award (Russia, 2011)
Winner, International Vilnus Photo Circle Contest (Lithuania, 2011)

Solo exhibitions:
36 Views (Lycée Jean Rostand, Chantilly, France, 2019)
36 Views (Kaunas Gallery, Kaunas, Lithuania, 2019)
36 Views (UFR des Arts, Amiens, France, 2019)
Alania. Testament / The Blood of the Narts (Okno Gallery, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 2018)
Tales (Russian Cultural Foundation, Ivanovo, Russia, 2018)
36 Views (Metekov’s House Museum, Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2018)
Alania. Testament / The Blood of the Narts (North Caucasus Branch of the State Museum and Exhibition Center “ROSIZO”, Vladikavkaz, Russia, 2017)
36 Views (Park Inn, Nizhny Tagil, Russia, 2017)
Junction (VDNH, Moscow, Russia, 2016)
Descendants of the dream (Na Shabolovke Gallery, Moscow, Russia, 2016)
The other side of the wall (Center of Photography “Mart”, Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2016)
North Line (Museum of Fine Arts, Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2015)
Descendants of the dream (Culture Center “Ordzhonikizevsky”, Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2014)
Tales (Metekov’s House Museum, Yekaterinburg, Russia, 2015)
Hidden (Okno Gallery, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 2009)
Windows (Galerie 4, Hebe, Czech Republic, 2008)

Books:
URAL MARI. NO DEATH, Authors: Natalia Konradova, Alexander Sorin, Fyodor Telkov, Publisher: Treemedia, (Russia, Moscow, 2019)
ALANIA. TESTAMENT / THE BLOOD OF THE NARTS, Publisher: Vesta (Russia, Vladikavkaz, 2017)
36 Views, Publisher: Ediciones Anómalas (Spain, Madrid, 2016)
ARTLESS CONFESSIONS, self publish (Russia, Yekaterinburg, 2015)

Publications:
GEO, The Guardian, The Independent Photographer, Lamono, British Journal of Photography, Critical Mess, Landscape Stories magazine, Clavoardiendo Magazine, The Russian Reporter, Port, YET magazine, F-Stop Magazine, Colors, The Calvert Journal, Forbes, Metropol, Life force magazine, Rolling Stone, The New Times, Photobookstore magazine, Clavoardiendo magazine, BBC.