Photostories

‘Being Young in Latvia’ by Zifan Zhang

A journey into Latvia documenting the young generations reshaping its society.
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Diāna Grasmane, 19, poses for a portrait at her home in Riga. She is a transgender woman and activist, and she confronts societal norms and challenges in Latvia, using her visibility to advocate for queer and transgender people in transphobic misinformation. She sees herself as a “radical political act” rooted in kindness and respect. Through community engagement, Diana provides essential support to others while pushing for a more inclusive future, despite the personal toll of her activism.Zifan Zhang

Words and photographs by Zifan Zhang

In today’s complex Latvian society, the young generation is actively reshaping the country’s future. They are addressing identity challenges in various ways, including bridging social divides stemming from the Soviet legacy, tackling the mental health crisis, advocating for gender equality, and engaging with national security concerns.

By fostering religious dialogue, promoting historical education, providing psychological support, championing gender advocacy, and participating in political processes, they are building a more resilient social landscape amidst the tension between tradition and modernity.

Being Young in Latvia
Two female soldiers walk past the Freedom Monument in central Riga during a shift change on March 22, 2025. The monument, honoring soldiers killed in the Latvian War of Independence, is guarded around the clock.Project description: In today’s complex Latvian society, the young generation is actively reshaping the country’s future. They are addressing identity challenges in various ways, including bridging social divides stemming from the Soviet legacy, tackling the mental health crisis, advocating for gender equality, and engaging with national security concerns. By fostering religious dialogue, promoting historical education, providing psychological support, championing gender advocacy, and participating in political processes, they are building a more resilient social landscape amidst the tension between tradition and modernity.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Marks Burja, 20, poses for a portrait in his apartment building in Cukurfabrika, a small city near Riga. He studied computer engineering but now works in a casino. Like Marks, many graduates in Latvia find themselves in jobs unrelated to their field of study, often due to a lack of experience or skills demanded by employers. Mark's experience also underscores a sense of disillusionment, as he discovered his interests lie more in social interaction than in the tech field he initially pursued.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
College students rehearse Folk Ensemble Rotaļa at VEF Culture Palace in Riga.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
View by the Daugava River in the south of Riga.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Vladimir Bazarov, 24, servant in Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, poses for a portrait. He fights with the tension between the Latvian heritage and the significant Russian-speaking population, a divide rooted in the country’s Soviet history, which he personally experiences as he is labelled a “fascist” in Russia and an outsider in Latvia. Despite these challenges, Vladimir channels his faith into fostering understanding and addressing social issues like alcoholism, trying to bridge the gap and create a more inclusive society through his church work.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Laura Jegorova, 27, poses for a portrait. She is a second-year psychology student pursuing her bachelor's degree. Her interest in psychology stems from her own experiences with mental health challenges, giving her a unique understanding of the subject. She hopes to use her knowledge to help others, particularly those with significant mental health struggles.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Young couple kiss in a concert in Riga.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Airsons RD, 20, boxer, poses for a portrait.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Mareks Bērziņš, 22, tour guide at KGB building, part of Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, poses for a portrait. Being a history student at Latvian University, while his initial career aspirations were communication science or movie making, he found himself drawn to history, particularly the opportunity to educate others about Latvia's past. He sees his role in the museum as a way to help people understand how Latvia's history has shaped its present. “Freedom is not taken for granted. ”Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Edgars Rupeiks, a 20-year-old young politician, holds the Latvian flag during the parade commemorating the Victims of the Communist Genocide in Riga on March 23, 2025. Growing up in a single Latvian-speaking family in the Russian-speaking community, he developed a strong connection to his country and its culture. He has been interested in politics since he was a young child. His involvement began with the Youth Guard, where he developed a strong sense of patriotism. This passion led him to join the National Alliance, where he is now the head of the youth organization and a board member of the party. “My biggest hope for Latvia is security. This includes not only the military security of Latvia and Europe overall, but also the freedom of minds of the people. ”Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Guns in an airsoft shop in Riga.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Young people wait for trains in Riga Central Train Station.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Twilight view of Riga.Zifan Zhang
Being Young in Latvia
Young people enjoy the Nova Koma concert in Riga.Zifan Zhang
About the artist

Zifan Zhang (b. 1996) is a Chinese documentarist (Photo and Video), focusing mainly on the social and cultural impact of societal changes in contemporary China and the post-Soviet space through long-term projects. After he earned a master’s degree in international relations, he gradually delved into documentary photography. He lived in Russia for nearly three years to explore the Soviet impact on modern Russian society. Apart from Russia, he also visited multiple post-Soviet spaces to enrich his visual language and deepen his understanding of these societies.