The magazine of the photo-essay
December 2016 issue
by Thomas De Wouters
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
THE BALKANS, DECEMBER, 2015
GREECE, MACEDONIA, SERBIA, MARCH-APRIL, 2016
These pictures plunge the public into the reality of those who cry silently for their lost country but who also show us hope
for a new life.
Before these images were taken the refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan were in a mad-rush to journey from the
Greek Islands to Central Europe before the borders were closed. They had no more than six days to cross six countries.
No more than a few hours in a camp, no time to rest, they had to pick up the next train, the next bus. Only then could
they catch a few hours sleep.
Rush: movement, hustle, urgency, anxiety.
Deep in their eyes we see the severity of what they have been through. However, it’s as if this rush has not touched
them. Against all the odds, they seem confident and peaceful.
Today, now that the borders are closed, we appreciate how vital this movement was. Rush has given way to waiting.
Waiting: immobility, hope, tension, pending a border that may never open… an eternity. The pregnancy… 9 months.
After just crossing or being in Turkey for 1, 2 or 3 years, they escaped to Europe, crossing the sea. Among them a lot
of pregnant women. Once in Greece, european soil, their babies are born. The right of soil against the right of birth. Are
we all ready to accept these newborn as Europeans ?
Noor, Sarah and their mother move hastily towards the train. Syrians from Idlib.
Train station, Sid, serbian-croatian border, December 19, 2015.
Another queue.
Train station, Sid, serbian-croatian border, December 19, 2015.
Mahdi and his family at the door of the train. Afghan family from Kunduz.
Train station, Sid, serbian-croatian border, December 19, 2015.
Children waiting at night.
Migrant transit camp, Martinci, Serbia, December 19, 2015.
No time to rest.
Train station, Sid, serbian-croatian border, December 18, 2015.
Amira, Nour and Rania. Syrians from Golan.
Train station, Sid, serbian-croatian border, December 18, 2015.
In the distance Croatia. Beyond, Europe.
Train station, Sid, serbian-croatian border, December 18, 2015.
Refugee camp, Diavata, Greece, March 30, 2016.
Shayra, Nouh, Halima.
Refugee camp, Diavata, Greece, March 31, 2016.
Shaimaa, 26 and her son Lamar born in exodus. Syrian from Dair Alzour.
Refugee camp, Idomeni, Macedonian border, Greece, April 1, 2016.
Aboubaker born 10 days ago, March 23, with his brother Omar. Syrians from Aleppo.
Refugee camp, Idomeni, Macedonian border, Greece, April 1, 2016.
A fight breaks out between Afghans and Iraqis.
Refugee camp, Diavata, Greece, March 30, 2016.
Muhamad and his son. Iraqis from Erbil.
Refugee camp, Idomeni, Macedonian border, Greece, April 4, 2016.
Sara, Yaman's daugther, Syrian.
Refugee camp, Idomeni, Macedonian border, Greece, April 4, 2016.
Food distribution.
Refugee camp, Idomeni, Macedonian border, Greece, April 3, 2016.
Rima and her 2 month old son Tarek. Syrians from Homs.
Refugee camp, Idomeni, Macedonian border, Greece, April 3, 2016.
Refugee camp, Piraeus, Greece, April 6, 2016.
