In preparation for the Sochi Games, correspondent Mark MacKinnon and photographer John Lehmann query Russians about what they think foreigners think of their country. Here are some of their answers
Open this photo in gallery: OIL, GAS
Temur, 47, taxi driver in Moscow. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
1 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: BEARS
Alexander Losev, 70, fisherman in Yekaterinburg. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
2 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: GREAT SCIENTISTS
Alexander Pudovkin, 66, animal rights activist in Yekaterinburg. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
3 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: MULTI-NATIONAL COUNTRY
Daud Khanbiev, 47, imam at Grozny’s Central Mosque “The Heart of Chechnya.” JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
4 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: VARIOUS
Vladimir Pyatnov, 49, dressed as a guard from the times of the tsar, in Moscow. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
5 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: AMAZING MYSTERIOUS PEOPLE
Father Alexei Kulberg, 42, priest in Yekaterinburg. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
6 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: EASY-GOING, SOCIALLY COMMUNICATIVE, DIFFERENT
Anna Ivanova, 24, make-up stylist in Moscow. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
7 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: SELF-IRONY
Marat Guelman, 53, contemporary art gallery owner. John Lehmann/The Globe and Mail
8 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: BRAVERY
Zaira Maglaeva, 32, Grozny Avia CEO’s secretary. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
9 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: VERY COLD
Diana Murtazova, 23, victim of Beslan hostage-taking. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
10 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: GENEROUS, POORLY SELF-DISCIPLINED
Vlada Gasnikova, 25, public relations staffer for a homeless shelter, St. Petersburg. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
11 of 12
Open this photo in gallery: A BIT CUCKOO
Dmitry Travin, 37, banker and defender of architectural heritage in St. Petersburg. JOHN LEHMANN/The Globe and Mail
12 of 12