Thursday, November 29, 2007
Fervor
A woman leans against a cross raised on the spot where the biggest Orthodox cathedral in Romania will be built, during a religiou ceremony, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, in Bucharest.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Pre-election rally
Ten-year-old Valentin Penciu (C), and George Muhulica (R), wave flags during a pre-election rally in Bucharest, Romania, 23 November 2007. Romanians will cast their vote the European Parliament this week-end.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Nationalized houses
After World War II, the communists in Romania started nationalizing businesses and properties from the "enemies of the people". That basically meant everyone who was not a communist and had saved any money or properties worth taking.
Afterwards, they gave these houses away or rented them to different people, varying from members of the Communist Party to singers to people in the military.
The original owners now go through a lot of trouble to get their properties back. The problem is that the Romanian State has sold many of these houses after 1989. Therefore, both the original owners and the new ones have papers claiming they are the rightful proprietor. That lead to countless law suits, evictions and lots of unpleasant events. Most lawyers say the State is the only one to blame and that both the original owners and the new ones are victims of bad legislation and governing.
I've started a story on this topic. This past week, I've photographed a couple of people moving out of the apartment they have been living in since 1964 and had bought in 1997. The original owners live in the same building (that their ancestors rightfully owned when the communists abusively nationalized it), in pretty bad conditions (two families in a basement).
Constantin Darniceanu, 93 years old, reads the eviction note. He has been living in this apartment since 1964, when the Romanian government gave it to him because he was an officer in the Romanian army.
His wife, Paraschiva Darniceanu, 83 years old, sits surrounded by all their stuff, that they have to pack before moving out.
Constantin Darniceanu gets lost in the middle of an argument between his nephew and the rightful owners.
Mrs. Darniceanu watches the movers pack their stuff.
Mr. Darniceanu holds on to a bag while trying not to get in the way of the movers. In front of him on the floor lies his old closet, ready to be moved. Despite his age, he worked tirelessly to get things done that day.
Mrs. Darniceanu takes a moment to rest in the middle of what used to be their bedroom.
Afterwards, they gave these houses away or rented them to different people, varying from members of the Communist Party to singers to people in the military.
The original owners now go through a lot of trouble to get their properties back. The problem is that the Romanian State has sold many of these houses after 1989. Therefore, both the original owners and the new ones have papers claiming they are the rightful proprietor. That lead to countless law suits, evictions and lots of unpleasant events. Most lawyers say the State is the only one to blame and that both the original owners and the new ones are victims of bad legislation and governing.
I've started a story on this topic. This past week, I've photographed a couple of people moving out of the apartment they have been living in since 1964 and had bought in 1997. The original owners live in the same building (that their ancestors rightfully owned when the communists abusively nationalized it), in pretty bad conditions (two families in a basement).
Constantin Darniceanu, 93 years old, reads the eviction note. He has been living in this apartment since 1964, when the Romanian government gave it to him because he was an officer in the Romanian army. 
His wife, Paraschiva Darniceanu, 83 years old, sits surrounded by all their stuff, that they have to pack before moving out. 
Constantin Darniceanu gets lost in the middle of an argument between his nephew and the rightful owners.
Mrs. Darniceanu watches the movers pack their stuff.
Mr. Darniceanu holds on to a bag while trying not to get in the way of the movers. In front of him on the floor lies his old closet, ready to be moved. Despite his age, he worked tirelessly to get things done that day.
Mrs. Darniceanu takes a moment to rest in the middle of what used to be their bedroom.
Friday, November 02, 2007
3 Points of View
I had to photograph a press conference this morning about a new jewelry collection. This was my behind the scenes refuge.
Model Cecilia Miloiu waits backstage for her turn to showcase some pieces of jewelry.
A waiter and a waitress preparing the last details of the buffet organized for the journalists who attended the press conference.
The remainders of the press conference.
Model Cecilia Miloiu waits backstage for her turn to showcase some pieces of jewelry.
A waiter and a waitress preparing the last details of the buffet organized for the journalists who attended the press conference.
The remainders of the press conference.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
In Trance
Deep Purple kicked off their European tour with a concert in Bucharest. It was the first time my parents' generation had the chance to see these guys live.
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