Crossing the Moldovan River Dnjestr brings you into Transnistria, a narrow sliver of land sandwiched between Moldova and Ukraine. Over the past two centuries, Transnistria changed rulers six times. Ottomans, Germans, Romanians, Russians, and Moldovans all left deep traces there.

When Romanian-speaking Moldova became independent in 1991, Russian-speaking Transnistria declared independence for fear of language discrimination. A bloody civil war followed, ending with a cease-fire and a frozen conflict. With the war in neighbouring Ukraine, geopolitical cards are being reshuffled. Will the fragile Transnistria end up in the geopolitical East or West?

I visited Transnistria for the first time in 2018. I found an unrecognised state with a pro-Russian government that displayed hard-hitting propaganda. During the following trips, I saw almost every corner and regularly ended up at the kitchen table. I began to notice other things, such as the strong inner freedom of the Transnistrians. I also saw a young generation hopeful about the future.

In This Bittersweet Life, I combine the results of my six years of travel to Transnistria in documentary photography with compelling narrative nonfiction.

PRODUCTION

Production details: This Bittersweet Life | Slowdocs Publishers | hardcover
Photography and text: Paul van der Stap
Publication date: 10 May 2025
Graphic Design: Jeremy Jansen
Lithography: Marc Gijzen
Editor: Elisa Veini
Printing: NPN Printing
Dimensions: 17.5 x 23.5 cm | 256 pages
ISBN: 978 9 08093 759 8 (English Edition) | 45€
ISBN: 978 9 08093 758 1 (Dutch Edition) | 40€
Order book: Slowdocs Publishers – webshop
Financial support by:
Special thanks to: Team Tiraspol
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