FAR FROM BRUSSELS
A journey once »around the European Union«
7 months
31.000 kilometers
151 portraits
in 15 European Countries
Nobody could have guessed how topical this project would be when Stefan Enders set off in March 2015. The photographer wanted to tell the story of people in the European Union, not from places that are already familiar, places at the centre, but from the fringes and border regions. His seven-month journey took him 31 000 km along the entire external border of the EU – from Scotland via Portugal, Greece and Romania to the extreme north-east of Scandinavia. It was a »circumnavigation« of the EU, during which Enders created portraits of over 200 people. In his stark black-and-white photographs he pays equal respect to everyone: from the factory owner to the trade union boss, the working woman, unemployed people, as well as the refugees stranded in Europe. His colour photos embed the project in Europe’s current historical situation.
The result is a homage to the people of this Europe, a poetical critique that is sympathetic and engaging.
His seven-month journey took him 31 000 km along the entire external border of the EU – from Scotland via Portugal, Greece and Romania to the extreme north-east of Scandinavia. It was a »circumnavigation« of the EU.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung:
»A great book! Because it confronts us with an abundance of life and the traces of life that leaves us amazed.«
STERN magazine about the portaits: »They embody the diversity of the continent: its wealth even in misery and
poverty.«
DER SPIEGEL:
»All those - whether refugee, social worker, student or director - he wanted to show the same respect. The photographer met people like writer Rafat Dominik from Cisna, Breton teacher Martine Kervestin from Brest or emergency doctor Agostino Cuppari from Sicily. They all paint a very personal picture of Europe together.«
ARTE:
»He wants to discover his continent of Europe with his camera. A continent that has changed so dramatically in these times.«
SWR-Landesart/Kunscht (Denis Scheck):
»Stefan Enders is not only a great photographer but also a great storyteller.«
Ingo Zamperoni, Tagesthemen, 04.12.18:
»The united Europe - it has many faces. And photographer Stefan Enders has captured the continent's diversity by spending seven months travelling to the geographical edges of Europe to meet people.«
