Spartak Caushaj | ALBANIA
Orges​
​
Orges Kapinova, 27 years old. I met Orges at a Greek restaurant where we both worked. He came to Italy from Albania very young and was taken into care by the authorities as an unaccompanied minor. At the age of 18, he had to fend for himself, so he took to the streets of Italy in search of a job and a place to sleep. After a year of working illegally and moving from place to place, where all his employers exploited him, he managed to bring his little brother and grandmother to Italy to stay with him. Despite all of this, he never stopped smiling and pursuing his dreams. What is his dream, you might ask? His dream is only to find a contractual job and to have the necessary documents to travel freely throughout Europe.
MITAR SIMIKIĆ | BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Mila
​
In the portrait of Samila Salihovic, known as Mila (left), and her close friend Anica, the theme of peace emerges amidst the backdrop of her family's unconventional livelihood. Engaged in collecting discarded goods for over two decades, the Salihovic family often faces social ostracization in their hometown of Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite these challenges, Mila's determination to pursue education and complete high school sets her apart from her siblings, reflecting a quest for personal fulfillment and financial security. The Salihovic family's story, rooted in their Muslim identity and shared occupation in waste collection and recycling, resonates with broader societal challenges. Their perseverance amidst adversity underscores the urgency of addressing systemic neglect and inequality.
Svilen Nachev | BULGARIA
Untitled
​
Svilen Nachev believes in the art of silence. With only one image, he invites viewers to immerse themselves in its narrative, allowing the picture to convey its story without the need for textual explanation.
IVA GRUBJEŠIĆ | CROATIA
Harmony In Fragments
​
In this captured moment, a hand cradles a broken mirror, reflecting the fragmented world within and the serenity of the boundless sea. The hand, a symbol of human agency, holds the shattered mirror with vulnerability and strength amidst grayscale tones, emphasizing fragility and resilience. The broken mirror, metaphorical of our global landscape, becomes a canvas for the timeless pursuit of peace. As the mirror reflects the sea, a powerful metaphor unfolds. Undulating waves symbolize the ebb and flow of the human spirit. The sea mirrors the universal yearning for tranquility, transcending color and language barriers. The fractures in the mirror enhance the narrative, each shard representing divisions in our world, prompting contemplation on harmony within brokenness. The calm sea holds the promise of unity, reminding us that peace can emerge from discordant shards. The photograph urges us to ponder the role of human hands in shaping the world, urging us to be custodians of peace amidst fractures. The juxtaposition of the broken mirror against the sea encourages introspection on our shared responsibility to mend divisions. In monochromatic tones, the image captures the timeless quest for global harmony—a pursuit transcending cultural nuances and speaking to our shared humanity. May the hand cradling the fractured mirror inspire a collective resolve to foster peace amid the fragmented fragments of our existence.
DESPINA MIKONIATI | GREECE
Agali
As a photographer focused on portraying women, my work is a continuous self-portrait. I'm particularly drawn to nude photography as it creates a sense of intimacy and equality among women. Through photographing women, I explore our shared experiences and essence. This particular photograph was taken during a vacation on a Greek island, where my female friends posed for me on a beach named Agali, meaning "a hug" in Greek. To me, a hug symbolizes peace – the coming together, the warmth, and the acceptance. It embodies notions of calmness, tranquility and connection. The pose is reminiscent of the taijitu. The Chinese symbol of yin and yang symbolizes the harmony between opposing energies. Embracing this paradox is where I find peace.
ARTAN ISLAMAJ | KOSOVO
Paradigmata Nebulosae
​
Paradigmata Nebulosae captures a fleeting moment in my hometown of Isniq, Kosovo, during a foggy January morning. All elements are inherently linked to peace and rooted in the post-war period in Kosovo: the blue UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) tarpaulin symbolizes a tangible effort towards peace-building, while the car was acquired immediately after my family's return from seeking refuge in neighboring Albania, marking the end of a period of displacement. Despite its bleak appearance, the backyard or bashqë holds significance for me as a space of escape and tranquility, where fruit trees flourish and noise fades away. As a second-generation immigrant in Switzerland, this space has provided me with a sense of peace amidst the complexities of identity and belonging. It is often the space I think of when describing my home in Kosovo.
KRISTINA ALEKSANDROVSKA |
NORTH MACEDONIA
City Backstage
​
Flower Market of Skopje, North Macedonia. A space seemingly preserved from the hustle and bustle of the city, giving it the appearance of an oasis where a multitude of colorful flowers flourish.The skyscrapers and other grandiose projects that now define Skopje's architectural identity often mask the reality of urban experience and the neglect of certain spaces. The flower market serves as a reminder of this contrast. It symbolizes a certain stagnation and even the absence of progress. Its immutable, picturesque nature should prompt us to question the priorities of urban planning and the superficial sense of tranquility projected onto it.
IULIA DANA BACENAU | ROMANIA
Imaginary Line
Peace is more than just the absence of war but rather a beautiful harmony established between the feeling of security and a communion within society and nature. There is a stark contrast between the soothing peacefulness of the image and the tragic events that have been unfolding continuously for the last two years less than 100 kilometers away. In the left of the photograph and over the wetland stand the Danube delta and the waterway border shared between Romania and Ukraine. The protected area of the Danube Delta is also home to impressive wildlife diversity and for the complex conservation actions led jointly by Romania, Ukraine and Moldova to continue, peace is essential. War not only creates horrible humanitarian crises and tragedies but it also directly and indirectly affects habitats by halting the implementation of ecological solutions in a world ravaged by the rapid advancement of climate change.
IZABELA MILANOVIĆ | SERBIA
Peace At Party
​
This photograph captures a moment from the "Radar International Love" party held last summer in Belgrade. At the heart of the image lies a tattoo adorned in Cyrillic - МИР, signifying peace in Serbian. This timeless message conveyed by the МИРtattoo transcends boundaries, beckoning individuals from all walks of life to delve into their inner realms and embrace the universal quest for peace. The photograph vividly illustrates a collective vision for a world marked not only by enduring peace but also by the unfettered freedom to express one's true self. It encapsulates the essence of peace intertwined with the liberty to assert one's identity through fashion and personal appearance.
ANNA-MARIJA JOVANOVIĆ | SERBIA
COUP DE COEUR DE C'
Can We Stop Here For A While?
Yet, many view peace solely as the absence of stress, negative emotions, or life's challenges. However, I believe true peace comes to those who embrace life as it unfolds, embracing both its joys and sorrows. This photo captures a poignant moment during a period of profound loss within my family. Seeking solace, my mother and I embarked on a journey together, hoping to find balance amidst turmoil. It was during this trip that we stumbled upon Klinje Lake in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where we were enveloped by the serene beauty of nature. Standing there, amidst the vast expanse, I realized that chaos is an inevitable part of life. It was at that moment of acceptance—of life's uncertainties and fleeting moments—that true peace found me.