ASU News

A faculty member at Adyghe State University, Elena Akulova, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Russian Ministry of Culture. This recognition comes following her exceptional achievements in the realm of photography and cultural representation. The Union of Photographers of Russia nominated Akulova for her photo project, "From a Clean Slate," which earned the Grand Prix at the international photography competition "ARGUS-2023: Photography among the Arts."
 
Elena Akulova, an associate professor in the Department of English Philology at the Faculty of Foreign Languages at ASU, developed a passion for photography relatively recently, in 2016. Despite her relatively newfound interest, she has rapidly gained recognition within the photography community, becoming a member of the Union of Russian Photographers in 2021. Akulova is also a member of the Maikop photo club "Attraction," and her portfolio boasts numerous accolades from national and international photography competitions.
 
In 2023, Akulova's series "Women" secured the top spot in the "Mobile Photography" category at the Russian Photo Awards, as reported by the Maikop photo club "Attraction." The following year, her project "From a Clean Slate" received the Grand Prix and 1st place in the "Photo Series" category at the international competition "ARGUS-2023: Photography among the Arts." This project was created using a complex solar (chlorophyll) contact printing technique.


 
Akulova shares that the project's name is associated with her relocation from Bryansk to Maykop. She believes that life, regardless of victories or setbacks, provides an opportunity to start anew, which is why the project is called "From a Clean Slate." Since moving to Adygea, Akulova has focused on showcasing the rich culture and beauty of the region through her photography. Her work highlights the harmony between vitality and tranquility, drawing inspiration from Adygea's nature and culture. The photographs feature portraits of local residents, landscapes, and iconic Adygean landmarks, such as a mosque.