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.

Srebrenica: Kravica

It is estimated that around 1200 men and boys were killed inside the warehouse that is just by the roadside as you drive through Kravica, a village near Srebrenica.

Women from the "Mothers of Srebrenica" organisation came on July 13th to pray and lay flowers to mark 19 years since the massacre. 

#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari #kravica

Potocari Memorial Funeral

Every year, on July 11th, a memorial funeral takes place at the Potocari Memorial which is where the men, boys and women who were killed during the July 1995 genocide that took place in and around Srebrenica. This year, 175 coffins were buried. Thousands of families and friends came to pay their respect and to help with the burial.

Thousands of family and friends came to help and to pay respect that memorial funeral that took place in Potocari, near Srebrenica, on July 11th this year.

Srebrenica: Aluminium Factory Dam

At the Aluminium Factory Dam, more then 700 men and boys were murdered during July of 1995.

Survivors of the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica are visiting the Aluminium Factory Dam in memory of the men and boys who were murdered there 19 years ago.

#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari #aluminiumfactorydam

Srebrenica: Branjevo Fields

Over one thousand men and boys were killed at the Branjevo Field during the genocide in Srebrenica. They were taken here, killed and buried in mass graves in the area.
Women who survived visited and prayed during the commemoration of Srebrenica this week.

Women from the organisation "Mothers of Srebrenica were praying and leaving flowers in memory of those killed during the genocide in Srebrenica in July 1995

#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari #branjevofields

A Long Walk...

A participant of Mars Mira, the Peace March, that takes place between Nzuk and Potocari prepares to start the last day of walking. Mars Mira is the 120km match that takes place between Nzuk and Potocari and follows the route that men, boys and some women took in order to escape the genocide that took place in Srebrenica in July 1995.

Mars Mira is a Peace Walk that takes 3 days to complete and follows the escape route between Nzuk and Potocari. Around 8000 men, boys and some women were killed in around a week in July 1995 in and around Srebrenica.

#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari

Potocari, July 10th 2014

The story continues. 19 years after the genocide, Srebrenica commemorate and 175 people are finally laid to rest on July 11th. In preparation, on July 10th, the coffins are trucked to the old battery factory in Potocari, where the UN had their HQ during the war. The coffins are carried out and placed at the memorial ground in preparation for the funeral that will take place the following day.

175 coffins are taken out from the old battery factory in Potocari to the Memorial ground for the burial that will take place on July 11th 2014.

#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari

11th of July- Srebrenica, 175 bodies laid to rest.

Every year, on July 11th, in Potocari, the victims of the 1995 genocide who have been identified in the past year are buried. This afternoon, 175 people were laid to rest. The families gather around the graves and pray and mourn their dead.

A woman pray for her loved one at Potocari Memorial ground. July 11th 2014.

#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari

175 coffins arrives at Potocari

175 coffins arrived today the Potocari Memorial for this years commemoration and the Burial of the Dead. They are being stored at the warehouse which earlier was part of the car battery factory in Potocari near Srebrenica. During the war, this factory was the HQ for the UN forces.

Family praying at the coffins
#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari

Mars Mira (Peace March) between Nzuk (Near Tuzla) and Potocari/ Srebrenica.

This year again, the Mars Mira, will take place between Tuzla (Nzuk)  and Srebrenica (Potocari). It is a 120km walk that follows the steps of the men and boys and some women who tried to escape from Mladic's forces in July 1995. The final day, on July 10th, the walk ends in Potocari where the following day, the 11th, marks 19 years since the Genocide took place in Srebrenica. The burial of the dead will then take place in a ceremonial funeral.

In the evenings after each day of walking, survivors shares their stories to the walkers.

#bosnia #srebrenica #genocide #storytelling #marsmira #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary

Preparation of the remains for the burial of the dead.

It is a large task that needs to be done with great care, when you are to prepare the remains of approximately 50000 people. This is what is being done at the memorial in Bisesero.  A ceremonial memorial burial will take place at the end of June, this year, in order to have an official mass grave for the survivors to come to.

Preparation of approximately 50000 remains from the genocide in Rwanda 1994 is in progress at the Bisesero Memorial. The official burial of the dead will take place in late June 2014.

#genocide #bisesero #rwanda #humanrights #memorial #photography #photojournalism #africa

Bisesero Memorial and the dead, Rwanda

Bellow the Memorial in Bisesero can you seethe remains of over 1500 dead people on display. 

It is a rather impressive display of remains you are met with if you visit the memorial in Bisesero. Then again, this is only one of many around the country. Later this month (June 2014) will most of the remains be buried. In the case of the bodies that have already been laid to rest, they will be reburied into the official mass graves.  #rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography

Walking home.

A young child walking home from the Bisesero Memorial on April 7th 2014.

This little boy is walking home from the commemoration in Bisesero on April 7th 2014. You can see the people at the memorial sitting on the lawn in front of the memorial in the background. The landscape is hilly and beautiful. The history is brutal.
#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster #aprilseventh

Child and Sheep, Bisesero, April 7th 2014.

This young person is walking home with a few sheep. It is the rain season and it is April 7th, 2014- 20 years since the the start of the genocide in Rwanda.

April is the rain season in Rwanda. This young boy was seeing his family sheep home on the day of commemoration in Bisesero, near lake Kivu. 

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

Bisesero Evening Memorial, Rwanda

A small crowd of men had gathered at the top area of the memorial in Bisesero in order to commemorate 20 years since the genocide took place Rwanda. The village is located in the mountains near lake Kivu. The men are known to be strong- despite that, Bisesero did not escape losing thousands of women, children and men in the 1994 genocide.

On April 7th, the local community was organising an evening Memorial at the top of the Memorial in Bisesero, Rwanda. 

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

The official Burial of the dead in Bisesero.

Mucyo, the curator at the Bisesero memorial, standing in front of caskets contains the remains of around 50000 people. They will be re-buried into the new official mass grave at the memorial in June.

Mucyo, a survivor of the genocide, lost a leg during the war. Here, he takes time to show us how the memorial in Bisesero is designed to be functional as well as a place to use by the survivors in this small community. April 7th, 2014.

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

Bisesero landscape and lake Kivu

If you ever travel and visit the little village Bisesero in Rwanda, then you will find amazing views of the (1000) hills in the surrounding area. You will also see the beautiful lake Kivu with Congo (DRC) in the background. This is also where resistance was stronger during the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

Lake Kivu seen from Bisesero with Congo (DRC) in the background (April 2014).

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster #lakekivu #kibuye #thousandhills #aprilseventh #commemoration

Rwanda Taxi

Arriving in Kibuye- meet the taxi.. It was not that easy to get both my luggage and camera gear onto the taxi going to my hotel... The ride was only about 10 minutes.

Fast and furious...at least quick and efficient would be my experience of the taxi in Kibuye, Rwanda!

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster #lakekivu #kibuye #thousandhills #aprilseventh #commemoration #taxi #motorbike

A rest, after walking a very long way...

Mars Mira is a very long walk, 120km and you walk through the woods, through hills and the temperatures may very well go beyond 40C. But this was the way where thousands tried to escape being killed in July 1995 fleeing Srebrenica trying to reach the next safe area, Tuzla.

A bit of resting feels like the right idea for this man after having walked for two days...one to go. Mars Mira/ Peace March July 2011. 

John at home, in the evening.

The days are long running Landmark Tea Room. And, it is a 7 day a week job, morning to night. Earlier, I showed you his "greeting committee, his dog Libbie! His girlfriend, Jane Ingabire, will also greet him. It is about 10 minutes walk between the tea room and John's house. The TV will run and John will contemplate about how to expand Landmark...!

John and Jane Ingabire at home watching TV

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

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.