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TESCO BAG

I've brought a Russian habit with me to London – keeping a bag full of bags that might come in handy around the house in the future. For example, when I travel to the sea, I always bring a bag with me in which I can put my wet swimsuit.

Thus, the bag became the first signal that I was starting to become more like a Londoner – last May in Portugal, I realized I was standing in the
middle of the beach with a Tesco bag in my hands.

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SAN PELLEGRINO

Due to the stress of moving, I began drinking a large amount of sugary soda - it helped me stay energized. But at some point, I realized that the amount of sugar I consumed was not suitable, so I started looking for a healthier alternative. San Pellegrino water became one of the symbols of my move (although I had never drunk sparkling water before).

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SUNGLASSES

I always thought that it rains constantly in London (no wonder England is called "Foggy Albion"). But it turned out that sunglasses are essential here - I had to buy them at one of the local markets.

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COAT

Compared to Moscow, in London, you hardly feel the change of seasons—the air temperature here changes slightly, and snow seems to be a very rare occurrence. Therefore, my faithful companion became a checkered coat, which I wear almost constantly from September to May.

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HEADPHONES

With the move, I found myself having a lot of Zoom calls - for work, with family, with friends. This amount of online communication showed that small earphones are extremely uncomfortable; they make my ears hurt terribly. Therefore, I had to buy large Marshall headphones.

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SUNGLASSES

I wear sunglasses most of the year. In Moscow, I didn’t want to hide from the sun under dark glasses, because the sun is so rare there anyway. Also, wearing glasses has always felt uncomfortable for me. After moving to Belgrade, I realized how much sun there can be and felt a real need for them.

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SHAKSHUKA & AJVAR

Since moving to Belgrade, I started cooking at home much more often, because I work at home all the time. So I really fell in love with shakshuka on ajvar. Ajvar is a seasoning originally from Serbia, mainly made from sweet bell peppers and eggplants.

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DRUMSTICKS

Most of my musical staff remained in Moscow. And I have not yet decided which of these I will transport and how. But inside of me, there has long been a desire to learn to play the drums. I think this is the proper time to start.

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DŽEZVA

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ADIDAS SUPERSTAR

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TABLE

In Serbia, people have a great affection for glass tables, and our rented apartment was no exception. We debated for over six months on
whether we could buy the table and chairs of our dreams. The table was a costly purchase, and we were uncertain about how long we would stay
in this apartment—whether it would be for months or years. Now, the table has been a part of our home for over half a year.

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WALL'S COLOR

Bringing along a preference for natural light interiors or embracing the local love for vibrant colors? We painted over the pink walls and removed the green and pink carpet, but we kept the brightly yellow chairs. So we managed to do both.

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PANCAKES

I don't miss Russian cuisine. Nevertheless, a new tradition has emerged in our emigration journey – we bake pancakes with caviar for any occasion and invite guests. I've never eaten caviar and pancakes as frequently as I do here. It turns out to be a fantastic excuse to gather guests at home.

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MAGAZINE

"The Faces of the Streets" is a social project. On the city streets, less fortunate individuals sell magazines for very modest amounts, which help
them make a living. We buy this magazine whenever the opportunity arises and keep the issues at home on a shelf. Funny, we still cannot read them, as our language proficiency is not quite confident. Thus, we admire the illustrations instead.

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POSTERS

It all began with one poster. We made a concerted effort to integrate into the local design community and set out to discover all the best prints in the city. When our friends noticed this, they started giving us posters as gifts. Now, in every room, there is at least one, each with its own unique story.

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LGTBQ+ FLAG

A weathered paper flag from the Pride Parade now adorns our plant. It wasn't a statement, more of a vibrant accent in the home as a reminder of a good day. Now, with even the rainbow banned in Russia, this flag has become a poignant reminder of the reason for departure.

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CIGARETTE BOTTLES

In France, the attitude to the stairwell is much more personal than in Russia. Whereas in ours it is often almost a street space, cold and no-
one's, here it is more a public interior. And you can't smoke in a public interior. So I started smoking in the flat, using bottles for cigarette butts so I wouldn't smell like an ashtray.

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SWITCH 

The switch is another characteristic detail of French staircases. In an unfamiliar house you are always afraid to confuse it with the bell so you go
up in the dark, and you always point to the nearest one to your guests on the way out.

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TINCTURES

The move awakened the need to make things myself that previously could just be bought. So I started making tinctures and introducing them
to French acquaintances. That's why I bring all the interesting bottles home.

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POCKET ARTEFACTS

In the pocket of your backpack with transfers and trips to friends' houses, you accumulate a store of change from different countries, SIM cards and travel passes. I never take it out of the backpack just in case. In the pocket of your backpack with transfers and trips to friends' houses, you accumulate a store of change from different countries, SIM cards and travel passes. I never take it out of the backpack just in case.

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DESIGNER DESK

I bought this pretentious designer desk on a local resale platform - a subtle rebellion against the omnipresent Ikea. And so far, I am having a love-hate thing with my workplace. Hate: the daily glass wipe and feeling like a remote prisoner. This is where I start to question the very idea of migration. Love: my curated chaos of books, notepads, and darling things I choose to keep in plain sight.

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LAMP

I searched a long time for this lamp – it was super popular and sold out everywhere. But when I finally put it over my bed, I discovered the nearest outlet didn't work. Since this is just my temporary home, I chose not to spend on fixing the electrical issue and left it as it was. So, now the lamp is like an art piece, symbolizing everyday inconveniences in a new country.

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BIG HEADPHONES

Deciding to buy big headphones was like adopting a whole new identity. In Moscow, big headphones seemed out of place - too heavy and not quite the vibe. To keep up with everything, I had to be quick and tuned into reality. But here in Germany, I can enjoy the luxury of disconnecting from the world around me. Turns out, noise cancellation is the superhero power I never knew I needed. Bonus: feeling like the main character, whether I'm in the library, at the gym, or stuck in a bureaucratic queue.

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PRINTED PRESS

In Germany, the printed press is incredibly popular. Every week we get a free issue of Die Zeit newspaper delivered to our house. I like to find it in the same place each time as if the world sends me one official message a week. I always take a photo, look at the front page, and learn new words. Although, I never take the newspaper with me. My German is still at the
level of the headlines.

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FOOD

There are probably academic papers on how important food is for migrants: a simple comfort, an easy gateway to new cultures, and a reason to come together. With new friends, we always talk about food. Through it, I feel connected to my family and home culture. I picked up habits from my mom and grandma— like going to the food market and cooking traditional Russian dishes. Making yeast dough is the most enjoyable. Bakers are probably the happiest people.

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BEDSIDE LAMP

Mood, cozy colors, and comfort from such a gadget, makes my apartment feel like a super cozy home. Super technologically advanced. Helps with falling asleep and keeping track of time. Home, control.

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RAZER HEADPHONES

Music and style. It's about disconnecting from the outside world or making it the main character's background. And I chose the Razer brand specifically because it's gamer-oriented, and I enjoy cosplaying gamers.

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RAZUMNO FUR SHOES

The warmth of friends even from a distance (as my friends do, sending their care) The beautiful weather allows wearing this delight even in winter. It's hard to imagine that such footwear would suit Moscow, even though it's a "greeting" from Moscow.

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IRANIAN KIMONO

Expensive but unforgettable. Bought it when there was a lot on the agenda about women's rights in Iran and their struggle for themselves.
About women, about strength, about beauty and tenderness. The quintessence of femininity, an archetypal embodiment of femininity. The laces regulate the degree of relaxation. Strength and armor, sometimes I can feel like a knight in armor.

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PULPULAK

In every corner of the city, there is a polpulak – a symbol of 'memory': of a person, ancestors, respect, care, nature, help, and purity.

Source of water
Clean water
Pride of the people
Care
You won't die of thirst
Common participation

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INCENSE STICKS

Or a thousand attempts to get cozy.

In the last two years, I've lived in 27 apartments within 9 different countries. We had to move every fortnight due to the specifics of our job.
Each flat has its own energy and mood. I didn't have time to get used to any of them. But I needed the feeling of home and coziness. We created these sensations with smells. The smell of white sage has been my salvation in every new place.

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NOT JUST A SUITCASE

When you have to move around a lot, your suitcase becomes your best friend. It becomes even more than that: it’s a wardrobe, a document
keeper, a safe for your money, a bag for laundry, and even your boss - cos now you have to play by its rules.

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IPHONE

I'm often asked where I live, but I can't answer that question and it surprises everyone. I feel like my home is now on my phone. It is the most essential thing I have.

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POCKET MIRROR

During migration, I realised the value of routine and habit. The importance of going to the same place for coffee, to know what temperature and
pressure your shower is, taking the same things from the same shelf, to choose where to get your hair done or work. In every new flat, the mirror location becomes the most unexpected. Sometimes its placement is too low, sometimes too high. Sometimes there is no mirror at all. I have to set up the habit in a new way every time. The pocket mirror becomes my
lifesaver.

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COLLECTION

When I was moving, I often forgot or lost things (sometimes I leave them behind on purpose) and then I had to buy new ones. Then you find/return them, and you have a whole collection. I have several of them: suitcases of all colors, lots of lighters, white T-shirts, half-full shampoo bottles, lots of shower puffs.

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WINDOWS

In every new flat, I've seen different shapes of windows. Some are square, some are round, some are floor-to-ceiling, and some have no windows at all. My new flat has a window on the ceiling. I like to look at it in the morning when the sunlight comes through it and lights up the whole room. It's very high up and I can't reach it, but it gives me a sense of peace of mind that my new home is somewhere close by.