Kazakhstan Through a Train Window: A Journey with Mario Heller
7,500 kilometres by rail, encounters with fellow travellers, and a portrait of Kazakhstan through the stories of its people.
Swiss photographer Mario Heller explored Kazakhstan in his documentary photography project, Kazakhstan Time Travel. Travelling by train, he captured everyday moments: conversations in shared compartments, the work of train attendants, farewells on platforms, and reunions with loved ones.
About the Journey
The journey began in Almaty in 2019. Alongside popular connections between major cities, Heller explored less-travelled routes. His interest lay in the atmosphere of railway travel and the lives of the people he met along the way.
Passengers of different ages and professions shared memories and spoke about their families, work, and outlook on life. These encounters became the foundation of a photographic series accompanied by personal stories.
KazGeo’s Involvement
Heller travelled with Daulet, a representative of the Kazakh Geographic Society. In his account, the photographer describes Daulet’s help with translation and conversations with passengers. This support allowed him to understand his subjects’ stories more deeply.
Discovering a Country Through Its People
Passengers and railway workers are at the heart of the project. Shared tea, offers of food, children’s games, and chance encounters reveal the hospitality and human connections that shape everyday life.
In Heller’s photographs, the railway connects communities, generations, and family histories. Together, these individual encounters form a portrait of Kazakhstan.
The Journey in Numbers
- 7,500 km — travelled.
- Almost three weeks — on the journey.
- 225 hours — spent on trains.