Russian Old Believers are a very interesting and distinctive religious and social group. Old Believers resulted from a religious schism in the mid-17th century, when a large group of people disagreed with religious reforms. An Old Believer named Valera in front of his house.

Fleeing reprisals, many Old Believers settled down in places remote from civilization. This trend remains alive today. Valera lives in the village of Multa in the Altai mountains, about 500 km away from the nearest city. Valera with a tablet computer, which he uses to compose music.

Valery Petrushenko, or Valera Hip, is an Old Believer from the village of Multa in the Altai mountains. He was born in Irkutsk and moved to Altai 20 years ago after traveling with music groups across the country. When he saw this place he decided to stay. In Multa, Valera was baptized and became an Old Believer. Valera after service at Old Believers’ Church in Multa.

Multa, which was founded by Old Believers, still has a large religious community. Although representatives of many faiths live there, Old Believers are still active and play an important role in its life. Lunch after a religious service in Multa’s Old Believers community.

Valery relaxes with his neighbors after a day of work.

Valera’s music is original and unusual; he uses authentic instruments, which he makes himself, as well as the sounds of nature, singing and the speech of other people.

Most villagers still live off of the land, producing a significant share of the produce that they consume. This is typical of Old Believers, who have always sought to be as independent as possible from the outside world. Old Believer women pour milk into jars.

Valera lives on the edge of the village and leads a rather reclusive life. By his own admission, at one time he did not go anywhere outside the village for several years, as he felt there was no need for it.

Valera lives on the edge of the village and leads a rather reclusive life. By his own admission, at one time he did not go anywhere outside the village for several years, as he felt there was no need for it.

Valera plays the flute in the yard. Two years ago, an album of Valera’s music was released in Moscow. He recorded all the tracks himself, using home-made pipes and Russian harps, as well as a sitar that his friends had given him, and some basic recording equipment.

Valera's lifestyle stands apart from the lifestyle of his fellow villagers; many treat him ironically, but with affection. Valera during a picnic on the bank of the Katun River.

Honey is another source of income for Valera. Valera’s honey is considered to be among the best in the village, and he gets orders for honey from Moscow and other cities.

Valera’s chickens and goats. He sells milk and eggs.

Valera walks along the village street.

Valera carries firewood from the nearby forest. He believes in environmentally friendly forms of energy like solar panels, and generally takes a highly sensitive approach toward nature. Nevertheless, Valera actively uses modern technical equipment, oftentimes quite sophisticated, that his friends from all over Russia bring him.

Religion holds an important place in Valera’s life, although he does not look like an ordinary believer. He reads a lot and loves talking about religious subjects, often interpreting them quite freely and independently.

Multa is located in Gorny Altai, bordering Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Altai means “gold mountains” in Turkic languages.