Rwanda: Commemoration- 20 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, Bisesero, April 7th 2014.

On the evening of April 7th 2014, the local guys prepared for the end of the first day of the 20th commemoration of the
Genocide against the Tutsi. Bisesero is a small village the mountains near Lake Kivu.

#genocide #neveragain #photography #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #webster #nikonpro #ronorp #keystone #photobastei #reverienrurangwa #ibuka #100days #ronorp‪ #‎rwanda‬ ‪#‎bisesero‬ #genocide ‪#‎22years‬

Jane Richard Philips

In January, I met and photograph Jane Richard Philips at her home and stables in Torino, Italy. La Madonna stable is amazing- around one hundred horses- and now also run riding lessons for all levels of horse riding. More to come on the Longines Ambassador later. The story is available now in Revolution Magazine.

Longines Ambassador and Champion horse rider, Jane Richard Philips at her stables in Torino, Italy.

Jane runs riding classes for people at different levels of riding at her impressive stable "La Madonna" just outside Torino.

#reportage #photography #photojournalism #torino #lamadonnina #watch #nikon #documentary #horses #janerichardphilips #longines #italy #switzerland #revolutionmag

April 2nd- World Autism Awareness Day.

Earlier this month, Edus, an organisation that helps to educate children with learning issues, weather slow or fast, helped mark the World Autism Awareness Day in Sarajevo, Bosnia. A concert where the children performed was held in the famous Sarajevo library. The library was badly damaged during the war in the early 1990's and has now reopened after a complete transformation to its former glory. For the evening, the front of the "City Hall" as it now being referred to as, was lit up in blue. 

Sarajevo City Hall lit up in blue for the World Autism Awareness Day 

‪#‎genocide‬ ‪#‎neveragain‬ ‪#‎photography‬ ‪#‎documentary‬‪ #‎photojournalism‬ ‪#‎reportage‬ ‪#‎webster‬ ‪#‎nikonpro‬ ‪#‎bosnia‬ ‪#‎srebrenica‬ ‪#‎websteruniversity‬‪ ‪#‎keystone‬ ‪#‎lifeaftergenocide‬ #edus #sarajevo #sarajevocityhall #autism #blue

22nd Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, organised by Ibuka Suisse.

Yesterday, Saturday April 9th, was the day when Ibuka Suisse commemorated the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The commemoration was in Geneva- it was a nice ceremonial event where people came and spent time commemorating what happened in April- June 1994 in Rwanda.- It was also a time to meet new people and to experience some Rwandan traditions.

Dr. Michel Gakuba, President of Ibuka Suisse made the opening speech at the 22nd. Commemoration of the Genocide agains the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Mr. Phillippe Brewaeys, Belgian journalist and writer, presented his book "Rwanda 1994: Noir et Blancs; Traqueurs de génocidaires et Sur les traces des tueurs rwandais.

The traditional lighting of the candles is a symbolic act in memories of those who lost their lives.

The Ambassador of Rwanda in Switzerland, Dr. François-Xavier Ngarambe, participated in the Commemoration and delivered a message to those who were there.

#genocide #neveragain #photography #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #webster #nikonpro  #keystone #reverienrurangwa #ibuka‪ #‎rwanda‬ ‪#kwibuka #genocide ‪#‎22years‬

The Children

The children running to our car upon arriving in Bisesero on April 7th, 2014.

Spending the 20th commemoration in the little village of Bisesero, witnessing the local population commemorating the death of around 50000 people was a moving experience, to say the least. But- the uplifting part of the day, was meeting the children. The spirit was hight, and it really shows how important it is that the investment for the future should be focused on the children. This post is simply about sharing a few souvenirs from the moment we arrived.

The Bisesero Memorial can be seen in the background.

#genocide #neveragain #photography #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #webster #nikonpro #ronorp #keystone #photobastei #‎rwanda‬ ‪#‎bisesero‬ ‪#‎22years‬

Bisesero Reburial.

During the visit and the stay in Bisesero, we got to see how all victims of the genocide in 1994 were reburied into a larger memorial grave. That was, all 50000 who were killed just in the village of Bisesero. All remains were buried into the memorial grave during the commemoration period which lasted for 100 days.

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.

Remains were cleaned before placed into caskets. 

#genocide #neveragain #photography #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #webster #nikonpro #ronorp #keystone #photobastei #reverienrurangwa #ibuka #100days #ronorp‪ #‎rwanda‬ ‪#‎bisesero‬ #genocide ‪#‎22years‬

22 Years Ago.

Today, April 7th, marks 22 years since the Genocide Against the Tutsi started in Rwanda. During the following 100 Days, over 1 Million people were brutally murdered. 2 years ago, I spent the 20th Commemoration with the people in Bisesero- and experience I will never forget.

During my visit to Bisesero, I got to see the process of budding the victims
of the genocide into the memorial grave- all 50000.

#genocide #neveragain #photography #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #webster #nikonpro #ronorp #keystone #photobastei #reverienrurangwa #ibuka #100days #ronorp

Sarajevo

Nice to be back in Sarajevo! Summer weather and a chance to catch up with many friends. A nice group of students we had as well!

Summer in Sarajevo, April 2nd, 2016

‪#‎genocide‬ ‪#‎neveragain‬ ‪#‎photography‬ ‪#‎documentary‬‪ #‎photojournalism‬ ‪#‎reportage‬ ‪#‎webster‬ ‪#‎nikonpro‬ ‪‪#‎marsmira‬‪ ‪#‎bosnia‬ ‪#‎srebrenica‬ ‪#‎websteruniversity‬‪ ‪#‎srebrenica2015‬ ‪#‎keystone‬ ‪#‎lifeaftergenocide‬ ‪#‎rwanda‬ ‪#‎geneva #mothersofsrebrenica

Baselworld 2016

BaselWorld is now finished. It is the worlds largest watch fair showcasing a huge number of watch manufacturers. I spent a short amount of time there, meeting up with some friends and colleagues.

The entrance of Baselworld

Keith Strandberg from Revolution magazine looking at the Bell and Ross

Designer Yona Lee appreciating the Citizen stand.

 #reportage #photography #photojournalism #baselworld #swisswatches #watch #nikon #documentary #yonalee #revolution #keystones #design #switzerland #revolutionmag

Last few Days!

It says 4 Days left on the project funding a "Bed for Janvier". We already reached our target- so that is great! Remember though, that this is not exclusively for Janvier- this project will use use the funds to help the community of survivors in Rwanda. We can not help all, but once the "bed or chair" has been bought for Janvier, the money that are left over will be used to help others who has needs. This is typically women who are getting older and need medicine. Thank you everybody who have helped already and thank you to everybody who helps by sharing this update! http://www.100-days.net/en/projekt/bed-for-janvier/project 

Children greeting us upon arrival in Bisesero on April 7th 2014 (20th Commemoration of the Genocide in Rwanda).

#genocide #neveragain #photography #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #webster #nikonpro #ronorp #keystone #photobastei #reverienrurangwa #ibuka #100days #ronorp

Kurdish Iraqi Photographer Aram Karim

It was great to meet Kurdish Iraqi Photographer Aram Karim as he displayed several of his projects from his home region. He came last November to Switzerland as a refugee. The evening was supported by Reporters sans Frontiers and Photojournalistes/ Impressum and Keystone with Laurent Gillieron and Jean-Christoph Bott.

Aram Karim presenting his work together with Laurent Gillieron

#‎photojournalism‬ ‪#‎reportage‬‬ ‪#‎keystone‬ #‎kurdistan #iraq 

Mothers of Srebrenica, Hajra Catic.

March 8th market the International Women's Day. I am preparing my next trip to Bosnia- overtime I prepare a new trip, I go through previous work. In order to mark March 8th- I could not think on anyone better then Hajra Catic from the organisation "Mothers of Srebrenica". It is an organisation that helps other women who seek justice from having lost their sons or husbands during the Genocide in Srebrenica in July 1995. Hajra is herself searching to find the remains of her own son, Nino, a journalist who will always be remembered for reporting from Srebrenica during the genocide. His last report said: "Srebrenica is turning into a vast slaughterhouse". More on this here: http://ks-imaging.blogspot.ch/p/srebrenica-bosnia.html.

Hajra Catic at the office of 'Mothers of Srebrenica' in Tuzla.

‪#‎genocide‬ ‪#‎neveragain‬ ‪#‎photography‬ ‪#‎documentary‬‪ #‎photojournalism‬ ‪#‎reportage‬ ‪#‎webster‬ ‪#‎nikonpro‬ ‪‪#‎marsmira‬‪ ‪#‎bosnia‬ ‪#‎srebrenica‬ ‪#‎websteruniversity‬‪ ‪#‎srebrenica2015‬ ‪#‎keystone‬ ‪#‎lifeaftergenocide‬ ‪#‎rwanda‬ ‪#‎geneva #mothersofsrebrenica

We did it!

Fantastic news! We made our target of raising CHF 5000 on our 100 Days campaign!
This is just a "first Thank You" to everybody that have contributed so far...more to come when the campaign is officially over- in 20 days time. That means, there is still some time to go, it means that our goal of helping more of the survivors in the community where Janvier lives is very much a possibility. 

The next step now for me is to identify exactly which type of bed Janvier needs and then order it. I already have, of course, a distributer recommended to me my Handicap International. They are based in Rwanda, something which will simplify the process. Then, a local friend will help me with the logistics. 

Hopefully this process can be concluded during this year, if not, early next year, as this is not a fast process. In the end, I really look forward to go back and visit in order to document this project- I will then share this report here with everybody who have supported and helped to make this project a reality!

Janvier at home when I visited with Reverien Rurangwa in January 2014.

#genocide #neveragain #photography #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #webster #nikonpro #ronorp #keystone #photobastei #reverienrurangwa #ibuka #100days #ronorp

100 days campaign.

Dear everybody,

we are reaching the last month of my 100 days campaign on raising funds for Janvier and her new bed as well as the community of people who needs a little help in Rwanda. Here is the update:

We have now almost made our goal of CHF 5000- I am absolutely certain we will make it! Several people have recently donated to this project. Last week, a donation of CHF 2000 and one of CHF 500 was made. Absolutely amazing- but just as important, several other donations of CHF 20 and CHF 50 were given. Every one of those donations will be used carefully in order to reach as many as possible.

The deal is this: The first goal is to help Janvier get a new bed or whatever tis the most appropriate for her so that she will be able to be a little bit more mobile and have the chance to come out more often.  This will obviously improve her life quality a little (We have received several offers from companies producing this type of equipment). Second goal is to contribute with medications for survivors in the region. I will be returning to Rwanda in order to make a report on the changes that were made- the reports will be posted here.

Again, thanks for everybody who has contributed so far and has shared the link amongst their friends!

Link!

Children working in the field and greeting us. 

#genocide #neveragain #photography #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #webster #nikonpro #ronorp #keystone #photobastei #reverienrurangwa #ibuka #100days #ronorp

Tequila & the blue agave fruit.

Working on a project about food production and looking through my archive. The spirit most associated with Mexico has a namesake town where much of it comes from. The town of Tequila is where tons of the blue agave fruit grown in the nearby region comes in daily to be turned into the distilled liquor. 

The blue agave fruit to be used for tequila production.

 #photography #photojournalism #tequila #thimphu #workshop #guadalajara #mexico #perpignan #switzerland #lausanne #geneva #reportage #d4 #d810 #nikon #documentary #3514g #d3s #nikonpro #keystone 

The Bamako Zoo

Having worked with the Aga Khan Architecture Award (AKAA) recently, it makes me think of the timen I spent shooting the Bamako Zoo a couple years ago for the Aga Khan Foundation. The term used was; "if we are to support a Zoo, it better be the best zoo in Africa!". I think they did just that.

It is nice to see the relationship between the zoo keeper and the animals when you are in a nice zoo. 

#mali #agakhan #africa #photography #nikon #d4 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #akdn #nikonpro #city #bamako #street #onassignment #nikonpro #keystone #webster #zoo