Bhutan: Chimi Lhakhang

"Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang or Monastery or temple, is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha District, Bhutan.^[1] Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a chorten on the site."- Wikipedia.

Visiting this place, you realise that the entire community is built around the monastery. Visitors and childless couples will come for prayers as well as the hope of becoming pregnant. In some cases, couples can even spend the night at the moanastry hoping it can help them conceive... 

There is little left to to the imagination about what the topic is in the local souvenir shop...

#bhutan #photography #photojournalism #thimphu #workshop #divinemadman #punakha #monastery #chimilhakang #d810 #nikon #documentary #3514g #d4

The Streets of Perpignan

During "Visa pour l'image Perpignan 2014" you get to see some great slide shows in the evening of plenty nice photojournalism. It inspires, it tells stories and it encourages "street photpgarpy" as you have to walk home late at night- a perfect time to wonder the pretty streets of Perpignan. 

Evening light, Perpignan, September 2014

#reportage #photography #photojournalism #visapourlimageu #barcelona #spain #france #d810 #nikon #documentary #perpignan #visa #cock #dog  #iso64

The Other Hundred. A book and exhibitions... and a tearoom!

I am really proud to have a project selected as one of the winning stories by the "Other Hundred". The "The Other Hundred" is a unique not-for-profit photo-book initiated by the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) .

This year, "The other Hundred" was interested in reportage stories featuring entrepreneurs.. I could not think of anyone better then my good friend John who runs a Landmark tearoom in Kabuga, near Kigali in Rwanda.

In addition to be part of this years book, the projects will also be exhibited around the world- it will be possible to see the show in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Berlin and New York. At the moment, it can be seen in Dubai.

Libie greeting John at night

#rwanda #kigali #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #3514g #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #theotherhundred #landmark #tea #d4

Traditional Swiss Music in Solalax

The restaurant Miroir de l'Argentine offers spectacular views and treks near Villars (Valais) in Switzerland.

At the restaurant Miroir de l'Argentine, I met these guys playing some amazing music, including playing on the saw..!

Saw playing musicians

#reportage #photography #photojournalism #traditional # #valais #saw #d810 #nikon #df #documentary #1424 #switzerland #music #onassignment #alps

A busker in Barcelona

Sometimes commuting can be rewarding. The other week, visiting Barcelona on my way to Perpignan, this busker entertained my coach on the metro. Sometimes, I suspect there is a hidden camera somewhere- the guy was really good! What a gift!

The lady in the back is photographing the violinist on a Barcelona Metro, September 2014
#reportage #photography #photojournalism #visapourlimageu #barcelona #spain #france #d810 #nikon #documentary #3514g #metro #busker #violin #gift

REPORTERS SANS FRONTIERS- aux Confrontations Photo, Gex 3-5 October

Come and join us at the exhibition with Reporters Sans Frontiers in Gex, near Geneva between October 3rd to the 5th. There will, in collaboration with Fondation Gilles Caron, Confrontations Photo and Photo Reporters be a display of plenty good photography. Amongst them will be three of my images from Rwanda.

Réverien Rurangwa

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage

Bhutan: Choki Traditional Art School and the 13 arts.

In Thimphu, Bhutan, Choki Traditional Art School educates young men and women on the traditional Buddhist arts. Everything from wood crafts to painting and embroidery is all taught here. The students will later work on preserving the history as well as the traditions of the art that evolvs around the monasteries as well as the different festivals that takes place in Bhutan. An example is the "Tigers Nest". A few years ago, it got severely damaged and the students from  Choki Traditional Art School is heavily involved in recreating the works of art at he monastery.

The drawings of the students contain incredible details.

The woodcrafts are done by students and the teachers... details in the work is fantastic!

#bhutan #photography #photojournalism #weekendmarket #thimphu #workshop #chokitraditionalartschool #paro #documentary #artschool  #13arts

A Cock in the street- Perpignan 2014

Perpignan is a beautiful town, old, narrow roads, the residents are spending the time outside, sitting, talking, playing. Walking back to my hotel, I also met a Cock and a Dog- not sure why someone placed the Cock in the middle of the road though...

A Cock & a Dog in the Road- Perpignan 2014

#reportage #photography #photojournalism #visapourlimageu #barcelona #spain #france #d810 #nikon #documentary #perpignan #visa #cock #dog  #iso64

Visa pour l'image - Perpignan 2014

"Visa pour l'image Perpignan 2014" is over for this year. It is a photojournalism festival that takes place every year in Perpignan in the south of France, near Spain. There were great exhibitions, slide shows in the evenings and possibilities too meet with other photographers and agents- very inspiring!
This year, there were even images posted as large posters on walls as well as houses around the small little old town that makes Perpignan such a charming place. There is still time to see the exhibitions though- the "professional week" is over- but next week is the "educational week". It means the week is dedicated to show the work to schools and students. If you have the chance, it is worth the visit!

Photographs were posted on the wall around the entire town of Perpignan for this years Visa pour l'image

The evening projections are the highlights of the day during the first week of VISA. Prizes and awards are presented here.

#reportage #photography #photojournalism #visapourlimageu #barcelona #spain #france #d810 #nikon #documentary #perpignan #visa #iso3200 #iso1600

Bhutan: Changangkha- where the children receive their names.

The Changangkha monastery is located in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. This is the temple where parents come to in order to name their children- they pick a name from the available names at the temple. It is thought that this process as well as the blessings from the local Llama is bringing good luck to the child. Apart from the Royal family, there are no family names given in Bhutan.

This boy already had a name, of course, but was coming to the castle with his 

family in order to get a name for his little sibling.

These parents came to The Changangkha monastery in order to receive blessings 

and a name to their new born baby.

#bhutan #photography #photojournalism #thimphu #workshop #dochulapass #paro #sport #khuru #documentary #thechangangkhamonastery #nameababy

Bhutan: Khuru

In Bhutan, Archery is the national sport. One can see the sport being competed in a number of different venues. I will come back to that later, but Khuru is also popular! Khuru is a "dart like" sport where the guys competing tries to hit the target around 20 to 40 meters away. Their precision and courage is impressive. The "dart" is pretty big, the target pretty small and the guys standing near the target seems to be worryingly close while the competition is throwing the dart.

Khuru competition taking place after work time in Thimphu, Bhutan. The dart can just be seen leaving the hand of the participant. He is throwing the dart in this case about 40 meters towards the target...and hitting it perfectly!

#bhutan #photography #photojournalism #thimphu #workshop #dochulapass #paro #sport #khuru #documentary 

Bhutan: Tigers Nest

Getting to the famous "Tigers Nest" or "Paro Taktsang" requires a 3 hours walk around 10km north of Paro. The monastery is hanging on a cliff at 3120meters and the walk you do elevates around 900meters. The best is to walk early as the monastery only has got direct sun on it at around 08:00 in the morning. We had to gamble as the rain season was in full swing during our visit- we were lucky though!

Juan, one of the workshop participants walking to see the "Tigers Nest".

You can just about see the "Tigers Nest" in background between the
"Grandfathers Beard" hanging from the trees in the foreground!

#bhutan #photography #photojournalism #weekendmarket #thimphu #workshop #dochulapass #paro #tigersnest

Bhutan: the Dochu La pass

If you ever visit Bhutan, you will soon realise that the temples, the places people visit in order to stay connected, reflect and feel part of the society within this Buddhist country are all very much important to the people of the kingdom. While driving on "Highway 1" (I will describe the road on a later post...) from Thimphu to Punakha, it makes sense to stop at the Dochu La Pass, a monument designed for peace of 108 Chortens. You can, on a good day, have a wonderful view of the Himalayas from this spot. From my photo, you can see that there were no chance of seeing any mountains on my visit last week! You do see our driving checking our suitcases though...

Fogg is something fairly common should you visit the Dochu La Pass, particularly during the rainy season.

Some Indian workers passes the 108 Chortens on "Highway 1"

"Highway 1" is being worked on constantly. The distance between Paro and Thimphu is pretty good. Further east still needs plenty of work. It gets difficult when you meet larger vehicles on what is essentially a one lane road.

#bhutan #photography #photojournalism #weekendmarket #thimphu #workshop #dochulapass #punakha #nikon #d810 #highway1

Bhutan: Weekend Market

This little boy was playing with a balloon at the Weekend Market in Thimphu, Bhutan. Crafts and food was for sale and there were plenty of people despite the wet weather.

This little boy was playing with a balloon at the Weekend Market in Thimphu, Bhutan. 

#bhutan #photography #photojournalism #weekendmarket #thimphu #workshop #balloon

Bhutan: Photographers

These two little girls were all too happy to be photographed. On one condition though, that they could photograph me!

#bhutan #workshop #photography #photojournalism #munk #monastry #dechenphodrang #photographer #travelphotography

Bhutan: Monks play football too

Monks play football too- at least when they are students and have a break! Visiting the Dechen Phodrang Monastry in Thimphu, Bhutan, we got to spend a little bit time with the students there. As we arrived, football was on the agenda!

Students playing football at the Dechen Phodrang Monastry.

#bhutan #workshop #photography #photojournalism #monk #monastry #dechenphodrang #fifa

Kathmando, Nepal

Travelling can be an experience for good and for bad... Airlines does not always corporate with your plans. But- sometimes you can have a pleasant surprise- Kathmandu offers a lot of life and beautiful colours.

View from Hotel Kathmandu View.

#bhutan, #photojournalism, #photography, #photographyworkshop, #workshop, #nepal

Srebrenica: July 11th burial.

On July 11th. the official burial of the dead takes place at the Potocari Memorial ground. You can read about this in earlier entries on this blog. This time I spent time with the families who themselves were digging and preparing the graves for their loved ones who were killed in the Srebrenica genocide. After prayers and speeches, the burial itself is done with the help from family and friends. The graves are prepared and everybody helps in order to make sure the burial happens in a respectful way.

After the rain, it was necessary to dig more in order to prepare the grave for the burial.

Friends and family helps to cary the casket to its resting place.

It is a delicate job to bury the caskets during the ceremonial burial. This year 175 bodies were layer to rest.

Old and young helps, the actual burial takes only around an hour to finish.

#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari #pilica #pilicaculturalcentre #potocari #july11 #20years

Srebrenica: Pilica Cultural Centre

Women praying at the 19th anniversary of the massacre at Pilica Curtural Centre. Pilica, July 13th 2014

Around 500 innocent people were killed at this cultural centre in July 1995, including the brother of a good friend of mine.
#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari #pilica #pilicaculturalcentre

August 1st- Switzerland

The Swiss National Day is August 1st and dates back to 1291 and is inspired by the Federal Charter of the same year. In early August, "three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation, an action which later came to be regarded as the foundation of Switzerland." (Wikipedia)

1 August is celebrated each year with paper lantern parades, bonfires, hanging strings of Swiss flags and fireworks.