2. Luda - Sitting in front of an idyllic forest scene, the wallpaper now tobacco stained and mottled with age becomes an analogy of the old values still peddled by the self-elected President Igor Smirnov – who in doing so has created a jilted generation let down by failed socialist dreams.

3. Julia’s Flat – Julia is 20 years old, studies languages and lives alone in the family apartment. Her Mother who is remarried now lives and works in the steel industry in Turkmenistan. Julia likes to spend much of her time on social networking sites meeting people from different countries and curiously ordering tourist pamphlets from the UK, of which she has quite a collection!

4. Karmenka – Between the ages of 17 and 22 most young people will attend University. A growing number of girls in particular are choosing to study English or German with dreams of travelling and exploring distant places. But this is when the restrictions of living in Transdniester become illuminated, as the unrecognised status of their Republic makes it difficult for the new generation to travel and migrate; and although many have Ukrainian or Russian passports, the cost of applying for expensive visas and airfares to more lucrative and exotic countries prohibits many of the young’s true aspirations.

5. Sergei – Is 19 years old and lives with his Mother and Sister. Families with absent or estranged Fathers are very commonplace in Transdniester.

6. Lenin – For over twenty years Igor Smirnov governed Transdniester with an authoritarian rule echoing that of the Soviet Union. In doing so he managed to create a country perceived as a besieged fortress and ruined the economy. The entire population live on the poverty margins with little or no scope for social and political change. Russia has vested and historical interests in the region and has often provided political and military aid. However in December 2011 with support from Russia, Smirnov was finally ousted due to his on going fraudulent activities and mismanagement of the country. A new president has been elected who people hope he will start positive negotiations with Moldova in an attempt at resolving some of the political, economic and social difficulties of the country.

7. Dima - Is 22 years old and like most young men studies electronics and engineering at the local University. After Transdniester closed its doors to the international community Dima’s parents economically migrated to Sochi in Southern Russia leaving Dima behind to live with his Grandmother. Dima perhaps sees his parents once a year, which is a story familiar and recurring across the country.

8. Pickles – Life since independence has remained strategically closed off where progress moves at a backward pace keeping the region quiet and isolated and preserving a quintessential Soviet Russian culture.

9. Dniestr River – Naturally separates Transdniester and the PMR Republic from the rest of Moldova. People are allowed to cross the border with their PMR passports for up to twelve hours. Many young people have no interest in anything ‘Moldalski’ so few are in possession or have applied for a Moldovan passport. This is connected to the history of the region and their cultural identity where they see themselves as Russian and look firmly to the East.

10. Oxana – Is 21 years old and is studying Journalism where she dreams of being a Journalist in a country far away from Transdniester.

11. Theatre Doors – Some say, although it would be economically and politically easier to be a part of Moldova, it is impossible due to the ethnic divides and tensions. Many believe a replay of the 1992 civil war would inevitably take place. This is a feasible assumption, considering Moldovans’ attitudes towards Russians either living or visiting Moldova. Often they are treated with contempt, as although many Moldovans’ can speak Russian, they refuse when faced with Russian speakers. It seems regardless of shared histories and the impact the USSR had on language and culture, this is a burgeoning social trend. In fact it is not something exclusive to Moldova and Transdniester, but is gaining wider momentum in other ex-Soviet countries, as pockets of ethnic Russians or Russian speakers become increasingly segregated.

12. Unknown Couple – Reminiscent of Western 1950s living and ideals; it is common for couples to marry between the ages of 16 and 21, where men seek beautiful women who will be able to maintain the home and be a good Mother, whilst women look for men that can financially provide. Sadly though there is a high level of divorce and single mothers in the region.

13. Victor – Is 21 years old, studies at the University and plays in a band with his friends. At home he has to deal with his alcoholic Father and all the related problems. Alcoholism amongst men in particular is common, perhaps because culturally, men are seen as the financial providers, which means they often carry the burden when things go wrong. Sadly, many of the young people I met had stories to tell about someone in their community suffering with alcohol problems. I was often told that life was easier under Soviet rule and although very few Transnistrians’ would want to be united with Moldova the Republic’s independence has certainly not improved social problems but rather worsened them.

14. Chandelier – Some of the teenagers involved in the series claim that the Government has profited greatly in the twilight of disputed sovereignty, lining their pockets and keeping its people on the margins - the average wage is $130/£80 per month – an existence of less than $5 a day.

15. Volchenka Street – The apartment blocks in this area are considered to be the best - built in the late 1970s nearly 35 years on many lay in disrepair. Often apartments are rented out to students as many adult workers have economically migrated to places such as Ukraine, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Israel.

16. Olga – In 2010 at the start of the project; Olga was 18 years old, with a local boyfriend and studying languages at University. However in April 2012 a surprising event took place when Olga left for America. This story really begun about a year earlier in May 2011. Whilst I was still photographing, she met an American guy online who was travelling in Moldova but wanted to visit the breakaway territory. She agreed to meet him, they became friends and a whirlwind romance took hold. Over the space of a year, with four failed visa applications, somehow and I still don’t really know how, Olga was granted a short-term residency permit to live in America. In the space of three days she had packed her bags, told her family and friends and flew to Seattle. This was seen as deeply exciting by her friends but of course something very unusual to happen to someone from Transdniester. Olga claimed she would be there for five months and then would return to continue her studies at University. But since leaving in April 2012 she is now married, she was only nineteen.

17. Red Berry Tree – Rybnitsa, November 2010.

18. Park – For the young in Transdniester life is simple with few distractions; many municipal buildings such as cinemas and theatres stand derelict and the odd clubs and bars that exist are too expensive to often visit. With few vibrant alternatives, walking in the park is the usual choice of entertainment - naturally mixed in with some vodka or homemade wine!

19. Ira – Is 17 years old and like most people her age is due to start University in the Autumn – she lives alone with her sister in their parents one bed apartment.

20. Crowes - “Welcome to Hell”, is the usual choice of greeting Oleg would use when I arrived in Transdniester. Most locals are aware of the stories surrounding their country, mocking its reputation and shrugging off their political, economic and social difficulties. Certainly the young understand their country’s dilemmas, but a combination of youth and not knowing any different, for now encourages them to ignore their situation. However, although the future seems far away, when directly called into question, the issue of poverty and opportunity arises - ‘What will we do?’ they say. Certainly the social mobility available to their parents and grandparents during the Soviet Union no longer exist and with the country’s unresolved politics - what will become of the new generation?