Kandalaksha



Kandalaksha

Name: Ilona Isayeva

Age: 27

Profession: Deputy director of a children's art school

City: Kandalaksha

How long have you been doing photography? I'm a newbie. 

What style or genre most interests you? Showing extreme sports.

Can you give us a short description of your city? Where is it located? What is it famous for? Kandalaksha is located on the Kola Peninsula, beyond the Arctic Circle, along the White Sea. It is a small city, and its residents are mostly involved in industry. We have an aluminium factory, railroad, and the Niva Hydroelectric Station. Tourists visit here year-round to be in wild nature.

What are some things that only locals would know about the city? There was a time when you could catch salmon right in the city center, through which flows the Niva River. But now the river is full of dams and the fish no longer swim upriver through the city. In the spring bears appear on the outskirts of the city in search of easy pickings for meals.

Which places or sites are a must for someone to see if they visit your city? The White Sea. You must visit that. Recently they opened a restaurant at the Kandalaksha Yacht Club that has a panorama view over the gulf and that serves traditional northern food. That's also a place worth checking out.

Instagram: @ilonaisaeva

Anything else?: You really need to live here, but most people are leaving here.



Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955