Brezhnev’s gift

In the 1970s, the Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev built a mining town in the middle of the steppes of Mongolia – Erdenet.

Many Mongolians moved to this modern farwest. They were searching for a new El Dorado despite the fact there will be no more ore in 30 years. This small town, also known as Brezhnev’s gift, accumulates frustrated hopes and offers only boredom, alcohol and karaoke.

Florian Ruiz (1972) is a French photographer living in Tokyo. He creates photographic projects in desperate, stained and disillusioned social situations.