Pasha Kritchko

At the beginning of April, I worked alongside @juliapascualita on an assignment for @lemondefr about four Cubans in Vilnius, Lithuania whose lives were reshaped by exile, borders, and political repression. Carlos Cruz, Yarisledy Rodriguez, Sonia Hernandez and Maria (a pseudonym) left Cuba after the protests of 2021 and still carry painful memories of the two weeks in spring 2022 when they were pushed back and forth between Lithuania and Belarus like a ball for ping pong. They were trapped in the forest, cold, hungry, and subjected to abuse by border guards on both sides. They are now awaiting a decision from the European Court of Human Rights regarding the pushbacks they experienced. Julia spent a full day interviewing them about their journeys through Cuba, Moscow, Belarus, and the border itself. The next day, we travelled to the border area to speak with Lithuanian border guards, see the wall and some videos showing assistance in crossings by Belarusian border guards or security services. We also met with Mantautas Sulskus, co-founder of @sienosgrupe Grupė, who has worked extensively to support people stucked in the border zone despite restrictions on access to the area. Today, under the state of emergency declared in response to migration flows partly instrumentalised by Belarus and Russia, there is a huge question about how border policies intersect with human rights obligations. It is also includes protections under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment. I’m very grateful to @audrey.delaporte for the call and for an opportunity to see different experiences and perspective about human rights and migration. Also to @aurelie.chateau.79 for really nice edit! 

#cubans #migrationcrisis #belarus #Lithuania

Short and spontaneous trip to Narva, Estonia with a special correspondent @juliapascualita for @lemondefr . For me, it was an opportunity to learn and understand more about a city right on the border with Russia, where almost 96% of the population speaks Russian in everyday life. One person we met said that she studied Estonian and passed exams a few times, but still feels very uncomfortable with the language, simply because there are not so many people you can talk to, and you simply forget it. In Narva, I had some personal déjà vu from my trips to the Polish/Belarusian border and places along the German/Polish border that struggle with deindustrialisation and depopulation, how this affects the population, and how this weakness might be used by politicians. There is also a special place for the younger generation, who make the decision to study in Estonian schools despite having Russian as their mother tongue. Many people I met were open to talking, but fewer were ready to be photographed, especially from the older ones. It would be very interesting to stay there longer and go deeper into the society. Very grateful for the call to @audrey.delaporte and to @aurelie.chateau.79 for the article edit. #narva #estonia #geopolitica #documentaryphotography

#freemaria is a performance and reflection project I am developing with @jochensandig . For me, #freemaria is also about what remains alive despite everything: dignity, imagination, solidarity, and the human voice and love. I would be very glad to see you on 9 April at 20:00 at @radialsystem_berlin @sashawaltzandguests Tickets: radialsystem.de/en/veranstaltungen/freemaria

@pkritchko | Pasha Kritchko is a former civil engineer and wedding photographer from Belarus who turned to journalistic photography during the 2020 presidential elections and mass protests. With his camera, he documented state violence and human rights violations following the rigged election – a commitment that ultimately forced him to flee. His work, »Map of Memories«, addresses the ongoing Belarusian crisis: the repression within the country, life in exile, and the stories of Belarusian volunteers fighting in Ukraine. Pasha captures a gathering of Belarusians in Warsaw, Poland, through his lens; Belorussian brothers and sisters celebrating »Freedom Day«, an unofficial holiday in Belarus observed annually on March 25 to commemorate the declaration of independence of the Belarusian Democratic Republic by the Third Constitutional Charter of 1918. In Belarus, Freedom Day 2021 marked the final day of the protest marches against the allegedly rigged 2020 presidential election, during which over 200 people were arrested. On Freedom Day 2026, many Belarusians dream of and fight for a better future for their homeland. Escapist? No, realistic, courageous! 📸 @pkritchko | a submission to the PORTRAITS Award 2025 #portraits #hellerau #portraitsphotography #portraitsphotographyaward #freedomday

Сябры, запрашаем вас падтрымаць фатографа з Беларусі і наведаць яго фотапраект “Map of Memories” на выставе ў Роттэрдаме @rotterdamphoto 2026 з 25 па 29 сакавіка. Pasha Kritchko @pkritchko (1987) — былы інжынер-будаўнік і вясельны фатограф з Беларусі, які падчас 2020 года і масавых пратэстаў звярнуўся да фотажурналістыкі і дакументальнай фатаграфіі. Ягоная цяперашняя праца прысвечана працягламу беларускаму крызісу і спробамі асвятляць гэтыя праблемы і паказваць выклікі, з якімі беларусы сутыкаюцца як на радзіме, так і ў выгнанні. Pasha супрацоўнічаў і публікаваў свае фотаздымкі ў The New York Times Magazine/Opinion, Le Monde, The Kyiv Independent, Cicero magazine і іншых выданнях. У фотапрекце “Map of Memories” праз партрэты і сцэны паўсядзённага жыцця Пашы даследуе наступствы 2020 года ў Беларусі, прасочваючы вымушанае перамяшчэнне, супраціў і нацыю, якая апынулася ў стане нявызначанасці. Паша не толькі дакументую гэтую гісторыю — ён сам жыве ў ёй. *** Vrienden, we nodigen jullie uit om een fotograaf uit Belarus te steunen en zijn fotoproject “Map of Memories” te bezoeken op de tentoonstelling Rotterdam Photo @rotterdamphoto 2026 in Rotterdam, van 25 tot en met 29 maart. Pasha Kritchko @pkritchko (1987) is een voormalige civiel ingenieur en bruidsfotograaf uit Belarus. Tijdens de massale protesten van 2020 en het geweld van het regime stapte hij over naar fotojournalistiek en documentaire fotografie. Zijn huidige werk richt zich op de langdurige crisis in Belarus en probeert deze problemen zichtbaar te maken, evenals de uitdagingen waarmee Belarussen worden geconfronteerd, zowel in hun thuisland als in ballingschap. Pasha werkte samen met en publiceerde zijn foto’s in The New York Times Magazine/Opinion, Le Monde, The Kyiv Independent, Cicero Magazine en andere publicaties. In het fotoproject “Map of Memories” onderzoekt Pasha, via portretten en scènes uit het dagelijks leven, de gevolgen van 2020 in Belarus, waarbij hij gedwongen migratie, verzet en een natie in een staat van onzekerheid volgt. Pasha documenteert dit verhaal niet alleen, hij maakt er zelf deel van uit.

• Every day is an occasion worth remembering. The question is are we looking closely enough? ↳ This striking work by Pasha Kritchko | @pkritchko | earned a Finalist spot in the #PortraitPhotography category at the last edition of the festival. ↳ Do you have a portrait that tells a story? Apply today in the #Portrait category - or any of our eight competition categories. #SPF26 #SarajevoPhotographyFestival #SubmitYourWork

Earlier this year, I published a guest essay in @nytopinion with my photographs and personal story (link in bio). It reflects on what has happened in Belarus over the past 30+ years, the fragility of the system we are living in, and how difficult it is to return to normality after generational mistakes, staying apolitical and allowing the system to take away your rights and giving us to choose between silence, immigration or prison. (sometimes there is no such choice) For me, Belarus is one of the most overlooked countries in the region and its not only a local story. It can be a powerful example for other countries standing on the edge, especially when “strong” leaders and political parties promise to make life better overnight. It will be interesting to see how the situation in Belarus develops next year, particularly in light of negotiations between the U.S. and Belarus, the possible normalization of relations, the release of the most prominent political figures from the 2020 events and the remaining political prisoners, and how this will affect hundreds of thousands Belarusians abroad as well as millions in the country. I am deeply grateful to @jackiecbates for the opportunity and trust, to @_eslahlahlah and @kerrcirilo for working with my photographs and shaping the visual story, and to @louiseloftus for helping me keep the text short, clear and direct. #belarus @nytimes #opinion

My portraits of Sergei Tsikhanouski for the @lemondefr article published today. The piece explores how the release of political leaders may — or may not — change the political landscape of the Belarusian opposition. I met and photographed Sergei on December 16, 2025, in a shelter for Belarusian political refugees in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he is a regular guest. It was a deeply interesting experience to meet him in person, to talk briefly, and to get very close while trying to understand — perhaps to break through the public mask — and to show through the portraits what might be going on in his mind, and how difficult it is to face the challenges and reality after his release. I hope that one day I will also be able to make a family portrait of the whole Tsikhanouski family. Thank you, @faustine_vincent_ , for writing about this complex topic, and @mariesumalla for the assignment briefing and selecting my favorite images for the story. #belarus #politicalprisoners #magnumlearn #documentaryfamilyphotography #lemonde

Ales Bialiatski, Nobel Peace Prize co-laureate (2022), and his wife Natalia Pinchuk in their temporary apartment in Vilnius, Lithuania. 17 December 2025. for @lemondefr Last Friday, after learning about the possible release of political prisoners, I rushed from Germany to Warsaw, and from there to Vilnius on Saturday. We arrived at the US embassy fifteen minutes too late to witness Ales’s first public appearance. The next morning, when I saw the news that Ales had met Natalia late at night at the airport, I knew immediately which photograph I wanted to make: their portrait together. I am convinced that when someone you love is in prison, it becomes another kind of prison for those who remain free. That is why it is important for me that these people and their stories are also highlighted. I am grateful not only that I was able to make these photographs, but also that @faustine_vincent_ from @lemondefr — with whom, by a very coincidence, I worked on several stories in Vilnius — was able to conduct a full interview. @mariesumalla , thank you for the opportunity to work for your team! #belarus #politicalprisoner #lemonde @thenobelinstitute @nobelpeacecenter @viasna96

Kranj Foto Fest 2025 is on show in Ljubljana at @cankarjevdom at Mala galerija until 30.11. “The exhibition presents six projects previously shown in Kranj, carrying both the artists’ voices and the traces of their original presentation. Some of the works had been displayed outdoors – including in natural settings such as the forest and the tunnels under Kranj – and their prints now bear the marks of time, weather, and environment, adding an additional layer of meaning and materiality to the images. From wood and gypsum boards with blueback prints and concrete blocks to fragile textile, and analogue photographic prints, each work emphasizes its materiality and tactile presence. Each of these projects, distinct in theme and approach, contributes to a collective narrative, offering audiences a reminder that photography is not only a witness to our world, but also a catalyst for reflection, connection, and change.” @pradofernanda Director of Kranj Foto Fest. 𝗘𝗫𝗛𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗸𝗼 @pkritchko – Map of Memories 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮́𝘇𝘀 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗼́𝘀 @balazs_turos – The Nature of Things 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 @itsemimartin – I Saw a Tree Bearing Stones in the Place of Apples and Pears 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻 @mohamedhassanphoto_ – Our Hidden Room 𝗠𝗮́𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮̃𝗼 @marciabeltraoberger – When the Seeds Fall 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 & 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘇𝘆𝗻𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗸𝗮 @kasia___wasowska @masia.wola – Waiting for the Snow Exhibition curated by @pradofernanda and @katarinahergouth , Exhibitions Programme Director at Cankarjev dom, whose amazing collaboration made this exhibition possible. Kranj Foto Fest Open Call Jury 2025: ▪ @carolkoerting at @leica_fotografie_international ▪ @mucsimesi at @capacenter ▪ @krisceee at @fotofestiwal ▪ Sandra Križić Roban at @uredzafotografiju ▪ @pradofernanda at @kranjfotofest 📷 @strikula ♡ We couldn’t share these works beyond Kranj without our partners and sponsors: 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 @leica_camera_austria @triglavgroup @lon_slovenija 𝗖𝗼-𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 @mzk_rs @mestna.obcina.kranj @visitkranj Instituto Guimarães Rosa & Brazilian Embassy @lisztljubljana Polish Embassy

«Protokoll eines Verschwindens» 📷 Wie dokumentiert man ein Land, aus dem man flüchten musste? 🗣️ Pasha Kritchko begleitete die Proteste gegen das belarussische Regime, bis seine Kamera zur Bedrohung wurde. Heute lebt er im Exil. Seine Bilder erzählen von Gewalt, Verlust und dem Versuch, Identität und Erinnerung festzuhalten. Ein Protokoll über fotografischen Widerstand, staatliche Repression und die Frage, was bleibt, wenn Heimat unerreichbar wird. 🔗 Den Link zum Beitrag findest du in der Bio! ✍️ Protokoll: Ludwig Nikulski @ludwig_nikulski 📸 Fotos: Pasha Kritchko @pkritchko @f3_hsh @hochschulehannover #VisualJournalism #f3hsh #HochschuleHannover #Belarus #Dokumentarfotografie #Fotojournalismus #Exil #MapOfMemories #PaschaKritchko #Erinnerung #Widerstand #FotografieIstPolitisch #Repression #FreeBelarus #Menschenrechte #Pressefreiheit #Langzeitprojekt #Zugehörigkeit #Zensur #Diktatur #JournalismusImExil

The winner of the Kranj Foto Fest Open Call 2025, Belarusian photographer 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗸𝗼 @pkritchko presents his exhibition 𝙈𝙖𝙥 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, on view at @stolpskrlovec until 27.9. The jury praised its powerful mix of political urgency, personal narrative, and artistic courage—Kritchko signs the work with his real name, making it a bold political act. The Belarusian struggle he portrays resonates beyond borders, echoing global fights for democracy and human rights. “In Belarus, the regime considers truth its enemy, seeking to erase evidence of repression and the memories of national unity. By the end of 2024, 45 journalists and bloggers had been jailed on political charges, and independent media had been all but destroyed.​ I switched to photojournalism in 2020, documenting the presidential elections and their aftermath. Like many Belarusians, I was driven by a sense of urgency and responsibility to capture the truth of what was happening in my country. My photographs eventually forced me to flee, knowing the consequences of staying. While some use exile as a platform for resistance—organizing protests, speaking out for political prisoners, or supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression—many others have turned away from politics.​ Memories of another Belarus linger, and the exiles remain determined to preserve their culture, history, and hopes for a future in which freedom and unity can flourish again.” — Pasha Kritchko S​tolp Škrlovec, Škrlovec 1 @layerjevahisa Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11h–19h 📷 @strikula ♡ 𝗣𝗼𝗸𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗷𝗶 /𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 @leica_camera_austria @triglavgroup @lon_slovenija 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗷𝗶 / 𝗖𝗼-𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 @mzk_rs @mestna.obcina.kranj @visitkranj Instituto Guimarães Rosa & Brazilian Embassy @lisztljubljana Polish Embassy 𝗞𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗷𝗶 / 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 & 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 @gorenjski_muzej @stolpskrlovec @mestnaknjiznicakranj @cankarjevdom LOBA Leica @fragmenti_kranj @mitnicakranj @cafepungert @indijakoromandija @kavarna.khislstein @fotokult_ Ringer 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 / 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗿 @photodialogue_