A designer from Switzerland chose the Russian hinterland (VIDEO)

Swiss artist and designer Niels Mozimann moved to Russia and unexpectedly chose Vladimir rather than Moscow or St. Petersburg as his place of residence. Together with his wife, he is building a new life in the Russian province, having found there, what according to him, was missing in prosperous Europe: more freedom, opportunities for creative fulfillment and peace of mind.

In this interview, Nils tells why he decided to leave Switzerland, what difficulties he faced after moving, and what inspires him from Russian culture. Vladimir occupies a special place in the conversation — the city that has become not just a new home for the artist, but a space for creativity and the embodiment of ideas.

Today, Nils and his wife are developing their own design project, Staro-za-Novo. His works combine the European experience and the Russian cultural code, and the source of inspiration is ancient Russian architecture, local history and the atmosphere of his new small town home.
In the Russian countryside, this Swiss man is building a house, raising his children, kayaking on the Nerl and Klyazma Rivers, and every year he discovers Russia more and more — its nature, traditions, and the special beauty of provincial life.