Viktoria

My name is Viktoria, and I live in an apartment in a bustling Russian city. I am the only child of a father who is an artist and a mother in ministry. Throughout my life, I have been surrounded by much love and creativity. However, in my early teenage years, I struggled to defend my interests and felt overly controlled and misunderstood, leading to feeling unheard and unknown. Unbeknownst to me, during that time, my parents were struggling with challenges I couldn't see. Looking back, I recognize that we may not fully understand the difficulties our caregivers face.

During my most challenging years, I yearned to find love. I fell in love, was disappointed, suffered, and started over again in a constant, inescapable cycle. I experienced rejection of my body and hatred for my face. I remember looking at myself in the mirror and wondering how such an ugly person like me could come from such beautiful parents. Self-hatred swiftly became self-harm. I felt hopeless. Gratefully, all that began to change when I was invited to be a photographer at a Young Life club. In that space, I felt loved and accepted. Who would have guessed that my passion for capturing other’s images through a lens would change my perspective on everything?

As a Developing Global Leader, I am pursuing a degree in art history from our local university, enabling me to inspire others to explore new emotions and experiences. My creative outlets have been a source of solace for me. Through art, I have truly found my voice and a sense of belonging. I want others to have that same experience. Pursuing art history is not just a passion for me; it is my calling.