Within the heart of the Balkans, over mountains and forest, lies Prespa Park. Home to two ancient lakes, Prespa’s story started millions of years ago. On the lakes’ waters images of animals passed, civilizations gone and battles fought have been reflected. Today the calm waters of these lakes, shared by three countries, speak of return and rebuild, with new challenges ahead.
As a photographer focused on issues related to nature, its protection and sharing the message of its importance, I ventured into exploring ways to showcase the ecological importance and the need for the protection of this area; while illustrating visual narratives of the people whose livelihoods depend on it, and recounting the experiences of those working hard for its protection.
The following sample-series under the working title “Within mountains, there lies” made possible through a collaboration with the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP).
What captivated me during my initial contact with this unparalleled area, was the feeling of life in a vibrant stillness. During my explorations, I noticed that the silence was broken only by the sounds of wood being cut and of shepherds calling their goats. While peeking through a window to another rhythm of life, an encounter with the footstep of a brown bear made me become aware that this area opens an entire doorway to a Europe of the past, and to a borderless nature.
The following sample-series under the working title “Within mountains, there lies” made possible through a collaboration with the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP).
What captivated me during my initial contact with this unparalleled area, was the feeling of life in a vibrant stillness. During my explorations, I noticed that the silence was broken only by the sounds of wood being cut and of shepherds calling their goats. While peeking through a window to another rhythm of life, an encounter with the footstep of a brown bear made me become aware that this area opens an entire doorway to a Europe of the past, and to a borderless nature.
Following this initial introduction, a collaboration has been established with PrespaNet, a network of environmental NGOs for Prespa. PrespaNet was founded in 2013 with the aim of strengthening cross-border co-operation for sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity in the region, which is shared by three countries. Formed by three organizations, the SPP (Greece), PPNEA (Albania) and MES ( Republic of North Macedonia), PrespaNet is committed to safeguarding the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Prespa region, and works across borders, respecting the unity of nature.
This photographic project aims to become the first one of its kind that the network supports, in an effort to reinforce even more the much needed collaboration between the three countries.
This project has been awarded the following distinction:
2016 ND Photography Awards: Honorable Mention in Professional People, Travel and Culture - Prespa project
Learn more about PrespaNet, the network of environmental NGOs for Prespa. Click here →
This photographic project aims to become the first one of its kind that the network supports, in an effort to reinforce even more the much needed collaboration between the three countries.
This project has been awarded the following distinction:
2016 ND Photography Awards: Honorable Mention in Professional People, Travel and Culture - Prespa project
Learn more about PrespaNet, the network of environmental NGOs for Prespa. Click here →