Youth photo workshop shows teenagers' lives in Moldova
Chisinau, December 19 - “Molesti – a village of children and old people” is the name of a photo-report presented today at the opening of a photo exhibition in Chisinau. Hundreds of pictures were taken by children and young people aged between 14 and 21 as a the result of a photography workshop facilitated by UNICEF photographer Giacomo Pirozzi and supported by UNICEF Moldova in the summer of 2005. The best ones are now on display in Chisinau. The sixteen participants were volunteers of the youth centers, school newspapers and local youth councils from different regions of the country. The workshop participants "invaded" the village for one day, guided by local young journalists. Molesti is a village situated approximately 50 kms South-West of Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. The total population in Molesti is 3,260 people, 680 of which are working abroad, mostly in Western Europe and Russia. Strictly speaking, one fifth of the adults have left the village. The main causes of such massive migration of adults are poverty, high unemployment and low living standards. As a consequence, many children live with their extended families or grandparents. Why this particular village? Veronica Boboc, Director of the Youth Media Centre, explains: “Molesti is an interesting village with many young people who are actively involved in the community activities. They have a radio station and a school newspaper. The high-school administration and the mayor’s office supported us”.
The village has never seen as many flashes as on that day. “I haven’t had such an experience in my whole life! I took pictures all day long. I learnt the stories of people’s lives…” says Alexandru Jitaru (17 years old). “We learned how people live, their daily life, the problems and shortcomings they face, but also the beauty of people and the village”, says Oleg Roibu (19 years old). “Giacomo taught us to get closer to people, to catch their feelings and emotions. I tried to “get into” the person’s soul when I take pictures”, says Tatiana Etco (20 years old). Giacomo Pirozzi: “Looking at their photos, I realized that they’d had learned a life lesson: they saw the efforts of the most vulnerable – children and old people – to survive." Giacomo Pirozzi: “I believe, young people have really tried to communicate with the people they took pictures of. This can be seen in the pictures they’ve taken. Looking at their photos, I realized that they’d had learned a life lesson: they saw the efforts of the most vulnerable – children and old people – to survive. And I also noticed a number of talents among the participants”, says Giacomo Pirozzi. Many of the young participants came to the workshop to learn how to use digital cameras better in order to take good pictures. At the end, the participants were convinced that technical skills were not enough to succeed: the photograph must convey a message.
FOTOsCOPII 2005 |
