Photographs & Text by Bob v Brunschot.

These photos were taken in the streets of Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. Moldova has not been part of Russia since 1991, but there are still quite a few  “traces” of the Communist past to be seen, including the Brutalist architecture (architectural flow characterized by large blocky structures and the use of rough raw concrete called “ concrete brut”, with a focus on functionality with minimal decoration).

I regularly look for places in the world where I can travel to “report” on certain abuses as inequality, “wrong” distribution, abuse of power, environmental pollution & other “mechanisms” in the world that must “wring” and come into the light ( everything that comes to light becomes visible!) and get attention so that something may change / improve, this is probably a somewhat naïve pursuit but also a meaningful activity.

Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe and the inequality is clearly visible in the streets. People are difficult to approach, probably because of the language barrier, but also because of the (Russian domination) past, it seemed like they were very wary? I always try to get in touch with the one I have on the “grain” and ask permission but here this was often difficult / impossible, so I have regularly photographed people secretly from behind!

Chisinau is a city full of contrasts that do not appear clearly in the first instance, but if you take a good look they will become clearer and clearer! On the surface, it looks like a prosperous city with a lot of large and expensive cars in the streets, large shopping malls full of  “luxury" products, but also many (older) women in typical Eastern European clothing who trying to sell all kinds of homegrown products (fruit & vegetables), pieces of meat, walnuts, clothing, etc etc.. on the street, and this is probably 7 days a week from early morning until evening! There is a lot of street trading and this is most likely a form of survival? There are one or more drugstores /pharmacies in almost every street that also seem to be open almost 24 /7, and where (I suspect) pain killers and other “suppressive” drugs are probably mainly sold? 

The gardens and parks at the government buildings and other government institutions look optimally maintained, while there is almost no sidewalk without a hole in it. You also regularly see (inhabited) houses that you think are completely uninhabitable and worn out between other buildings that are in a good condition! There is much “beauty of ugliness” present in the streetscape, fortunately there is also quite a lot of greenery and a large park with ponds in it that is used a lot by the city residents.

Coincidentally, at this time (September 2025) the elections  are for the national political parties, and there is a great chance that a pro- Russian party will come to power! But according to the results, the pro-European and the already incumbent government won the elections so this is a windfall for most Moldovans!

Photos above; "window of a scratch card shop" / "uninhabitable looking and burnt out (inhabited) house".

Photos above; "houses! - with probably district heating pipes above" / "advertising for a plastic (jaw) surgical clinic".

Photos above; "man offering walnuts" /  "man getting a "treatment" at some kind of beauty salon / hair designer".

Photos above; "part of the garden near the parliament building" / "part of a neglected park in the centre".

Photos above; "no comment" / "young (successful!) ladies taking pictures of each other in front of the train station".

Photos above; "two women probably on their way to the office or shop? Monday morning, approx' 9 am" / " multiple women cleaning / sweeping leaves in front of a office building. Monday morning approx' 9.15 am".

Photos above; obvious juxtaposition, as seen across the world since forever! Ed's Comment.

Photos above; "shy 3- legged stray dog with tangles in his coat, photographed as he ran past!" / "in front of the airport entrance / exit".

Thanks for reading. Please "like" and "share" to support this channel. 
To see more of Bob's documentary work, please click this link.