Révérien Rurangwa, Switzerland, 2014

The other day, I got the chance to meet up with Révérien at his place in Switzerland. He has lived here for a long time and has a Swiss passport. He tells me that, his place, his home, is here, in Switzerland. Not so strange maybe. On April 20th 1994, 43 members of his closest family was brutally murdered in the Rwandan genocide. Just luck, perhaps, saved him from dying. More to come on his story. And, you can read his entire story in his book that he published in 2006. It is available in French, English, Polish and Swedish.
http://books.google.ch/books/about/Genocide.html?id=6agPAQAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y

Réverien Rurangwa, Switzerland, 2014

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster #reverienrurangwa

Broken Windows

Marie-Jeanne has a problem with some of the people in her neighbourhood. Several times has she been burgled in her modest small house. She has health problems. Here she shows how she is strengthening her windows. In 1994, she was maried to a Hutu man. He wanted to kill her as well as their children as  they were not "pure". As Marie-Jeanne did not divorce oficially right away, she can not claim compensation which again means that she is living in very basic conditions. No electricity, dirt floor, two rooms...and that is it. She lives with her young twin daughters.

Marie-Jeanne lives with her two twin daughters.

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster 

Workshop August 2014: Photo Expedition to Bhutan!

Isolated in the Himalayas for centuries and untouched by mass tourism, Bhutan is a hidden gem for photographers. 

"Set out into the kingdom of Bhutan to shoot images of its welcoming people, exquisite temples, timeless farming villages, and the towering Himalaya. Capture scenes from a lively market or crimson-robed monks against a backdrop of whitewashed dzongs. Capture the spirit of happiness in the smile of kids, in an archery game and the celebration of ancient ceremonies. Practice your photographic skills while learning about Gross National Happiness and discovering this breathtaking country"

On this workshop I will be travelling with Alvaro Moreno, an expert on tourism and sustainable travels... He spent a year working for the tourist authorities in Bhutan and knows the place better then most.. In addition, there will be a local English speaking guide who will help us navigate through some of the major sites worth photographing!

Bhutan- Workshop 11-21 August 2014

Practical info: Dates August 12-21 2014 (including travel time 1 week in Bhutan).
Price 2,445 Euros ( includes hotels, meals in Bhutan, English speaking guide, all road transport, all activities and visits, poverty alleviation fee as well as visa.
Group size 5-8. Flights are extra (economy flights would cost around 1.200 euro in addition if travelling from Switzerland). We will be able to help with organising all flights. Should you want too spend more time in Bhutan in addition to the workshop time, we can organise that too.

Deadline to register: June 20th 2014 on info@butanexclusivo.com 

Aaron Mukomeza walking home from the after the commemoration in Bisesero on April 7th 2014.

With the hills and lake Kivu as a backdrop, Aaron Mukomeza (the son of Aminadabu Birara, the chief of the civilian resistance against the genocide) can be seen leaving the  Bisesero Memorial after the day program was finished.

Aaron Mukomeza (left) walking home from the after the commemoration in Bisesero on April 7th 2014. 

The Rainy Season in Bisesero

On my visit on April 7th to Bisesero, the views were amazing and telling. It was fascinating to witness those spectacular views and simultaneously knowing I was there to meet people who are known to have greatly resisted the attackers during the genocide in Rwanda. The Rwandan flag is waving at the memorial while overlooking the hills and lake Kivu.

Lake Kivu and Congo (DRC) can be seen in the background from the Genocide memorial in Bisesero.

Getting Landmark ready...!

Not always easy to get things done on time... John wanted his new Tea room up and running by April 1st... It is open now- but there were lots to be done prior to open the doors to the public. Here are some of the builders getting the furniture ready. Not sure who had the winning argument here...!

Working under pressure at Landmark Tea room, Kabuga, Rwanda

John & Liberality "Libie"

Running the Tea room "Landmark" means long hours, every day. It is nice then to walk home and be greeted by Libie.

Libie greeting John at night

Landmark Tearoom

So, just a few days ago, Landmark opened. Landmark is the Tearoom that John runs in Kabuga, suburban Kigali. He had to relocate but is back in business, just off the high street. If you like Rwandan tea or want some other light bites, you should probably stop by sometime very soon!

The Landmark Tearoom was not up and running yet as I visited. Here is the view out on the street, just off the high street.

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster #kabuga

The children of Rwanda

The Generation of children in Rwanda counts for more then 50 % of the population. The past will not go away, but they face a whole range of possibilities. The project I am currently working on is focusing on this- how does the new generation deal with its past but stay positive about he the future?
On my last visit I visited this primary school and the children put on a great performance! More to come..

The new generation of Rwanda

"He did what he was told to do", he says.

As over a million people were brutally murdered, hundreds of thousands of men participated in the killings during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Raphaël tells me that "he did what he was told to do". His tools were a machette and a club. He has spent 12 years and six months in prison for what he did.

Raphaël

#genocide #storytelling #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari #july11 #20years #nikon #d4 #reportage #d810  #lifeaftergenocide #humanrights #postwar #rwanda #neveragain #africa #photography #d810 #d4 #kigali #webster #reverienrurangwa #nikonpro #bisesero #webster #rwandagenocide #april7 

Christian, Kigali April, 2014

The other day, on my last trip to Rwanda, I got the chance to meet Christian. He lives in Kigali with his sister, mother and aunt. He cannot work, did not finish secondary school, cannot spend too much time in the sun... In fact, there is not all that much he can do. All this is due the grenade splinters that got stuck inside his head. He was also cut in the head with machete. More to come on Christian.

Christian has had complicated surgery on his head in order to remove grenade splinters.

Children of Bisesero

Upon arriving in Bisesero, the children made sure we would be welcomed properly! Despite the sad reasons we went to Bisesero, the place had a warm feeling to it...

The kids of Bisesero, the future of Bisesero, made us feel very welcomed! 

7th of April 2014, Bisesero, Rwanda

Bisesero is a small community in the mountains, overlooking Lake Kivu, where more then 50000 people were killed. I am visiting with Serge Farnel and Bruno Boudiguet who have both published books on how the French military took part in the massacre that took place here during the genocide in 1994. More to come on this...

Inside the memorial in Bisesero, remains from more then 1500 bodies can be seen.
A further 50000 bodies have been prepared and and will be re-buried in the official
mass grave in June.

Serge farnel, Bisesero, Rwanda...

French journalist Serge Farnel presenting his book in Kigali, April 2014

Will be travelling with Serge Farnel and Bruno Boudiguet in Bisesero. Here is an article worth reading related to their book launch the other day in Kigali- obviously, pay attention to the photos too..

http://www.rnanews.com/component/content/article/1-latest/8440-serge-farnel-lmon-livre-doit-se-trouver-la-ou-est-susceptible-detre-initiee-une-procedurer

Carpenter at work in Kabuga, Kigali

John is starting a new tearoom. He had to relocate and have found a new location just a few minutes from the previous tea room. I am certain his spirit and enthusiasm will make this another success! The opening should be at some point next week, in the meantime, he has had some carpenters adjust his furniture to make it fit into this smaller space.

Carpenter at work in John's new tea room.

The Land of 1000 Hills

Overlooking the city of Kigali from Mount Rebero, it is pretty amazing to see this never ending view of 1000's of hills... People of Rwanda says: "God roams the world but comes to rest in Rwanda".

View from Mount Rebero, on top of Kigali

Kabuga, not too far from the centre of Kigali

20 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi- Rwanda will be hosting many visitors participating in the official commemoration, part of kwibuka20, taking place in Kigali next week.

Kubuga in the outskirts of Kigali

Rwanda- 20 years- on.

April 7th. 2014 marks 20 years since the Genocide against the Tutsis started. In this context I am visiting again- meeting people- most who witnessed and lost family members during those awful 100 days where 1000000 people were brutally killed. More to come over the coming days... from survivors and from others who resisted.

Munanira shows me his scars on the location where he was left bleeding from being cut both by machete and spears. 

London Workshop!

Workshop London: 10th and 11th of May 2014

Topic is Seeing

Location is London

Program as follows here:

The topics during this two day workshop will focus on street/ travel mixed with studio lighting techniques  Each session will involve shooting on location, processing and group critique sessions. We will also have access to a studio for certain shoots as well as critique discussions. Please bring a laptop with Lightroom (or similar) in addition to a camera with at least a basic lens and preferably a flash (Flash for Nikon will be available to borrow, if you do not own one). 

Experiences you will encounter in London:

Locations of different nature- we will visit not just Chelsea- but explore London as the multi cultural capital of the world it is. Locations like Brick Lane, Brixton, Notting Hill and Hampstead may be explored. The idea is for each one to come home with a portfolio that describes London variety of faces.

The price is CHF 950 and includes tuition. Travel and hotel is extra. If you need advice on hotel, drop me an email. The studio is located in Fulham/ Chelsea which is near Fulham Broadway or Sloane Square station. 

For reservation, contact Kristian via email kskeie@gmail.com or phone +41 (0)70 609 7537

(Location is subject to change. In case of change, location will remain in central London)

Gloriosa "Glo" Uwimpuhwe

Glo lives alone with her two children in Kigali. She works for the US Peace Corps and I was lucky enough to meet with her at her home when I last visited Rwanda. Her story is something special, although, as she says, she considers herself amongst the lucky once. I will write up her full story later, and post it here. In the meantime, here is an image where she shows me photographs of her family. Her adopted brother is missing in this photo though. But him as well as all of the central people in this photograph, 7 in total, were killed in the beginning of April 1994.

Gloriosa at her family house

8th of March, the International Women's Day & Little girl, Kigali

8th of March, the International Women's Day. It made me think of when I photographed this little girl. She was carrying water on her way home in the early evening in the outskirts of Kigali.

Girl carrying water, near Kimironko, Kigali, Rwanda. 

Crocodile in Mali

Recently, when I photographed the City Park and Zoo in Bamako, Mali, I came across this guy- a really amazing crocodile enjoying himself in the lake created for him. The zoo was totally renovated by the Aga Khan Foundation together with its adjacent city park. Recent problems in Mali have made it difficult to run this palace.

Crocodile, Bamako Zoo, Mali

#mali #zoo #agakhan #africa #photography #nikon #d810#documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #akdn #nikonpro #elephant #bamako #street

John's tearoom

John has over the last couple of years been running a tearoom or small supermarket in the suburban Kigali area of Kabuga. When I visited I got served tea- Rwandan style which is hot milk with tea. Nice! The problem is that the day I visited was John's last day at the current location. He had to move and is currently looking for a new location where he can reopen his tearoom. Anyone who has a good location, in the same area?

John's tearoom

Nadine looking at Nadine. Rwanda 1994 & 2014

Nadine was nearly 3 years old in April 1994. She escaped with her family to her local church, something many people did. She and her mother survived, despite certain injuries. Hundreds inside the church did not survive. Visiting Kigali Genocide Memorial, I met with Nadine and she showed me a picture on display where you see her as a young girl. Nadine, nearly 3, is the little girl in the background wearing a white blouse and skirt, standing slightly out from the line waiting to be served tea. 

Nadine at looking at herself in the photograph from 1994

Munanira revisiting the fields where he survived the 1994 Genocide.

Munanira is walking through the fields, next to a banana plantation, in what can only be described as rural Rwanda. 20 years ago, he was here, he was surviving in these fields, after being hacked by a spear as well as a machete. He was only 12 years old when all this happened. His cousin John was 7, also suffered a cut in his head and the two of them where left to die. They spent 1 week in the fields before they managed to walk away and eventually reach safety...more on that later.  Munanira recently got married and is planning on moving to a nearby area.

Munanira walks through the fields where he was left to die 20 years ago, at the age of 12. His scar in the head is still very much visible, even in this picture.

#rwanda  #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #bosnia #srebrenica #webster #assignment #nikonpro

John and Munanira

John and Munanira are cousins. John is 27 and Munanira is 32. That means they were 7 and 12 years old 20 years ago. They live in Rwanda. That means that 20 years ago, they experienced the worst genocide that have taken place in recent history. 1000000- that is one million- people were killed in only 100 days in what has now been defined as the "Genocide against the Tutsis". John and Munaira survived because they visited their grandmother who looked after John's little brother (who was only 2 years old) at the time. What happened to Johns little brother and grandmother is not really something I want to write about here, but they both died. As the killers, already having killed the grandmother and John's little brother, were more interested in stealing goods from the house, John and Munanira were left injured in the field. Their scars are very visible, even today (Munanira was cut on top of his head, neck and ear and on his shoulder by machete. John was cut by machete at the right side of his head, slightly back from his ear). They both, despite their physical scares, survived. 

John and Munanira

More to come on John and Munanira later. 

Stacey King from the French "the Voice" sings at the CPW company days

Some people just have charisma. Some people make you listen- in fact, they make anyone listen. Stacey King came to the "Company Days" of CPW (Cereal Partners Worldwide- (joint venture between Nestlé and General Mills). When Jeff Harmening, CEO at CPW, was asked to sing with Stacey, then he did sing with Stacey! Excellent show- and I am glad I was there to photograph it!

Stacey King in Montreux

Rural Rwanda

After getting to know certain parts of Rwanda, my friends took me to a rather remote village. We walked through the fields in order to reach the location where their house used to be in 1994. While walking, the local kids followed us and wanted me to photograph them as well.

Children helping at home, rural Rwanda

Home with water

These kids lives in what can best be described as "rural Rwanda". It is an area of absolute beauty, but also absolute hardship. Not that easy to get things going work-wise, never mind have direct access to water. Less then 50% of the population has direct access to water, although progress is being made...

Kids carrying water at the end of the day. Rwanda, February 2014.

Photographer

So, on the way to visit some more rural areas in Rwanda, I met this young man- he wanted to photograph me while I photographed him! I lent him my loupe and we were both happy!

Happy, young, shooter in Rwanda!

Kimironko Market, Kigali.

This boy, David, is helping me through the narrow lanes within the Kimironko market in the outskirts of Kigali.

Kimironko market boy, David. Kigali, Rwanda

Working the land, Rwanda, February 2nd 2014

After visiting a village out in the region, I came across these guys preparing the land in order to construct a new house.

Workers digging and preparing the foundation for the new house.

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster #rural

Patrick, 5 years old.

Patrick was only 5 years old when he was hacked to death by machete.
His favourite food was chips, meats and eggs. His best friend was his sister Alliane. He was normally a quiet well behaved boy. Rwanda, spring, 1994.
(The image is photographed at the Kigali Genocide Memorial)

Patrick Gashugi Shimirwa.

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster #kigalimemorial

Rwanda & Bosnia

I am at the moment working on a new project, this time it is in Rwanda. Next week, I am off to Kigali where I will be working on how it is today in Rwanda- Life after Genocide. In that context, I am working on some stories about Bosnia and Rwanda on life after genocide.

Over the past two years or so, I have visited Srebrenica multiple times in order to get a better picture on what happened there as well as what is going on today. For that, I am continuously editing and re-editionhg the material I have as well as preparing two new visits this year- in April and in July. The April visit will be about meeting people and make very personal portraits in a contextualised setting and the July visit will be to be part of the annual memorial ceremony that takes place in Potocari.

Rwanda on the other hand will mark their 20th anniversary of the genocide, that saw 1000000 people being killed in the space on 100 days, this April.

This boy is probably carrying his dad or another relative, as he caries the casket

Updated profile with Union Suisse des Photographes Professionnells (USPP)

I have my profile at the USPP updated- feel free rot have a look and to see the portfolio uploaded there.

USPP is a Swiss based organisation serving professional photographers- a great place to get to know others practitioners.

I thought a little bit of Jazz would make sense for this update...!!!

be Happy in London

It is funny, sort of, sometimes, to look back on the year. I ran a workshop in London in June- we visited, Brixton, Camden, Primrose Hill and some other great parts of this really wonderful city. It reminds me why I have to do that again next year! Anyway, be happy she says... In the meantime, some exciting projects coming up. Not yet London though!

Be Happy...in London!

Everlasting Parisian Love...?

At least, this is what these guys think while having their Wedding picture taken on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris! Not sure locked padlocks while make sure of that- but I suppose it is a sweet gesture!

Couple getting their Wedding shoots done at the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris, November 2013

Anyway, here is another take on the whole thing, from the New York Times..
#paris #workshop #love #photojournalism #streetphotography #photography #lovebridge #wedding

Back Stage with World Champion Swimmer James Magnussen for Revolution Magazine.

A little while ago, while it was still hot outside... I was hired to film a "back stage movie" during a photo shoot for Revolution Magazine and Swiss watchmaker Maurice Lacroix. It was a fun experience and the model was James Magnussen, the Australian World Champion Swimmer.

J Magnussen Revolution Mag from Kristian Skeie on Vimeo.

Bambi "Flash Mob" in Geneva

Last night, the "Bambi foundation" organised a flash mob in Geneva- 50 students from the International School participated- lots of fun in a otherwise freezing cold November Evening in the centre of downtown Geneva!

Flash Mob participants

And then the Balloons went...!

Interview with First Light Institute of Photography

GMB Akash

A very good friend of mine,  Gmb Akash is an incredible photographer and story teller. He has featured in numerous magazines and journals, like National Geographic and GEO magazine, to name a few. Earlier this year, he founded First Light Institute of Photography. It was a way for him to give something back to photography and the community where he lives and works, Dhaka in Bangladesh. When he wanted to feature some of his friends on his website and I was of course pleased that he wanted me to contribute... have a look!

Paris Photo 2013- II

So Paris Photo is as big as ever... Lots of exhibitors and publishers, under one roof- Le Grand Palais. It is a beautiful venue that totally justifies hosting the worlds largest Photo Expo.

Paris Photo is big, very big- must make breaks for coffee...

Much work to study.

Something for everyone. Paris Photo is the worlds biggest in scale, photo sales expo. It is on during the long weekend in the middle of every November.

Book signing at many stands, including this one with Patrick Zachmann from Magnum Photo's stand.

Kids playing in the street.

Well, ...

#workshop #storytelling #photojournalism #documentary #exhibition #nikon #d4 #reportage #education #photography #d810 #sb910 #paris #parisphoto #france 

Paris Photo 2013

Here is just a short note on Paris Photo that starts this week...This is the worlds largest Photo Expo and always worth a visit! More then 130 exhibitors and 25 publishers in the same place...

Dog walking in Paris

A real elephant hug!

A little while ago, I visited Mali. The job was to document the works done on the zoo within the Bamako city park (Aga Khan Development Network). It was really a very interesting project as the city park in Bamako is not like all other parks...and the zoo was one of a kind as well. It probably is the nicest zoo in Africa. This lonely elephant most likely had her parents snatched and she was left at the park. The people leaving her said that the mother had just left her...something which is totally unlikely. She now receives the best possible care at the zoo. Anyway- The most memorable moment was when I was given a real "elephant hug"!

Elephant hug, Mali style.

#mali #zoo #agakhan #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #akdn #nikonpro #elephant #bamako #street #architecture #architectureaward #development

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

Over the last two years I have been working closely with Hasan Hasanovic while developing my project on Srebrenica. Hasan is himself a survivor of the genocide of July 1995. His story can be read on the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust website. The photo is an image I took of him the first time I met him.

Hasan Hasanovic at the Potocari Memorial Cemetery.