Atyrau is a fascinating city located in Kazakhstan. This old fishing village is situated on the mouth of the Ural river on the Caspian sea. The Ural river cuts through the center of the city dividing it to Europe and Asia. Until 1991 the city was called Guriev, and now is known as Atyrau, which translates as “the place where river falls into the sea”. Today Atyrau is the fastest growing city in Europe because of the oil boom and the huge Caspian oil reserves. It is a city of contrasts. Strongly rooted in old Kazakh traditions and the legacy of communism, this community is also looking for the quick leap to contemporary civilization and social change.



I was especially attracted to the special and unique architectural style of the historic old town in Atyrau and the inhabitant’s attachment to old Kazakh traditions. These traditions include Nauryz or the celebration of the spring, Yurta traditions that come from the original Kazakh nomadic culture, their use of original musical instruments such as the kubyz or the dombra, and their love of traditional costumes and dances. In my album, I illustrate the unique character of this city. I document part of the architecture of the old town and show traditions currently upheld by the inhabitants that might not survive present transformations of Atyrau into a modern city.