The exhibition “Russia in Transition” is a snapshot of everyday Russian life at a moment in its rapidly changing modern history. Its purpose is to show dramatic changes that have occurred after the fall of the Soviet system and the declaration of Perestroika by Michael Gorbachev, the President of the Nation. The unique transition away from rigid socialism, which has taken place in the former USSR, is however still painful.

The photographs you can see here were taken in St. Petersburg, Moscow, and several Russian provinces between 2000 and 2004, during the first term of Vladimir Putin’s presidency. The photographer is David J. Francis, an American journalist, who was working in Russia during these years. His collection is displayed here by courtesy of the Missouri Historical Society and St. Louis History Museum.

The organizer of this exhibition Yelena Francis (Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures) would like to express her gratitude to the sponsor listed below whose generosity has made it possible.
The ECU Chapter of the Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi;
Thanks also go to:
Dr. Sylvie Henning, Director of International Studies/International Programs (Harriot College of Arts and Sciences);
Dr. Michael Bassman, president of ECU Phi Kappa Phi;
Dr. Kermit Buckner, treasurer of ECU Phi Kappa Phi;
The exhibition was arranged with the assistance of the Joyner Library and we are especially grateful to the Head of the Reference Department, Mr. Mark Sanders, for his valuable help.