The project page says that the book ‘will be the first to offer a comprehensive collection of photographs and text on Soviet-era sanatoriums, both their history, and, more importantly, their afterlives.'
Radio Sputnik discussed the project with its mastermind, Maryam Omidi, who shared her ideas and motivation behind the new project.
"I travelled across Central Asia last year. I heard about sanatoriums before, I'd read about them and I was interested in the history of sanatoriums previously. And when I was in Tajikistan, I stayed at one in Khoja Obi Garm and I had such a wonderful experience there. And that's when I came up with this idea for the book […]," Omidi told Radio Sputnik.
The journalist said that the book will contain information about 20-25 resorts, but the list has not been yet finalized. Omidi also added that she had already "visited several [resorts] in Crimea last year" and "a couple in Kirgistan as well" apart from the resort in Khoja Obi Garm she stayed before.
"One of the things that I would like to focus on very much is a sort of contemporary life of the sanatoriums," Omidi said. "Obviously you need the history to have the context, but my focus is very much gonna be on the role the sanatoriums play today."
Omidi believes that very little has been written about the subject and is planning to publish pictures with detailed comments about each resort. Photos will be made by six prominent photographers, including the winner of World Press Photo Prize Claudine Douri, while comments will be written by the journalist herself.
According to Omidi's estimations, the approximate costs for the book will reach 15,100 pounds (21,300 dollars). Since the start of the fundraising campaign, she has managed to collect 5,300 pounds so far.
