No Blizzard Is An Obstacle

Alexander Levin, Kazan, Russia

Ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Goal Click has brought together photographers from across Russia for a special new project, Goal Click: Russia. These photographers documented the "real Russia" and Russian culture culture through football stories. From Yekaterinburg to Kazan, Volgagrad to Nizhny Novgorod.

Alexander Levin from Kazan documented children playing football in all types of conditions.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

Football in Russia is so sacred that people (especially adolescents) have absolutely no concern for the weather outside, whether it is rain, heat or snow. I myself never liked to play football, but I understood that this is one of the important ways of socialising. In this sense, nothing changes over the years - and no blizzard is an obstacle for high school students to chase the ball.

In these photos the goalkeeper scribbled his name, squad number and also the name of FC "Dvor" on his T-shirt with a marker.

What does Kazan represent about modern Russia?

Kazan has been through a lot of changes due to sport events of different levels of importance - from the 2013 Summer Universiade Games to the World Cup 2018. Houses and roads were built and destroyed, some people are struggling, and some were happy about the new look of the city.

I've never been interested in football, although living in Russia and not being interested in football is difficult. I'm holding on for now though!