Kaliningrad is a former German city that was called Königsberg before World War II and was the capital of East Prussia. Now it is the center of the westernmost region of Russia, which is separated from the main part of the country, clutched between the former socialist republics. After 1948, when the last German citizens were forced to leave this land, settlers "by distribution" from other Soviet republics were sent here to manage the new territory. Basically, these were young people who had nothing to lose and had a whole life ahead. Three generations have grown up on this land, which has remained "alien". Many people who fell in love with this place hoped for a revival of German aesthetics and traditions. Others tried in vain to make it Russian, but the resultant force of millions of wills led to something else - something not European, but not Russian either. However, just like 70 years ago, people perceive this place as something temporary, something that they will pass and leave behind, something that does not belong to them, and which is not worth worrying about. More and more people come here and try to change the area in their own image and likeness. Those in power use the territory to their advantage as a reason or an excuse, and it seems this land has nothing to oppose it. Nevertheless, its’ memory and landscape continuously shape the consciousness of people, changing their inner world.
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