LORDS OF THE GUNS

• Prize
  Bronze in Editorial/Photo Essay, Silver in People/Children
• Photographer
  Korniyenko Eduard

In modern Russia military and patriotic education has become part of the educational system. From early childhood children perform exercises appropriate for their age, study Russian history and join military and patriotic clubs. In Caucasus there always have been a cult of weapons and strong military traditions. This direction is the most actively developed in specialized Cadet schools. Besides school subjects there is a number of special disciplines including good behavior, multi-day training exercises with spending nights and parachute jumping. Cadets regularly visit training camps near Stavropol. Cadets approach their "soldier's work" in an adult way. About 40 % of cadets later associate their lives with the army, police and other law enforcement agencies.

Born in Stavropol, Russia, in 1974. Eduard Korniyenko became a professional photographer in 2000. In 2002 he joined the Russian Union of Journalists. At present, Korniyenko is a full-time photo-correspondent for the regional newspaper Stavropol Pravda and a freelancer for the news agency REUTERS. His work as a photojournalist has focused on developments in Northern Caucasus, which has experienced ethnic and intercultural conflict and political and economic instability.