Frank Gaudlitz:
The Danube is 2,778 kilometers long from its source in Germany to the estuary in the Black Sea. It flows through ten states with differing levels of economic development and contrasting interpretations of constitutional principles, and thereby reflects the entire spectrum of difficulties in the process of European unification.
The living conditions of people in Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia interested me especially in comparison with Austria and Germany. During brief visits, I wanted to experience how cultural identity is lived and reflected in the daily life of the new Europeans. I wanted to consider which desires are now emerging as the new Europe takes shape, and which ideas of happiness in the (uncertain) European future exist in the different generations. I wanted to meet people from different environments and of different age groups in these countries, listen to them and photograph them in all their daily (European) state of governance.
The journey began at the Danube estuary on the Black Sea and followed the river upstream like all those who constantly set out towards Europe regardless of existing borders, and who will always do so as long as there is such a gap in wealth between East and West.
The openness with which people appeared in front of the camera and presented themselves invites viewers of such photos to enter into a dialogue with them and develop intimacy. Hand written notes go beyond that to report on the protagonists’ hopes and fears in private and professional life.
Warten auf Europa. Begegnungen an der Donau. German-English photo album, with essays by Karl Schlögel, Jule Reuter and Günter Schödl. With many color and b/w photos and a map. 196 pages, hardback. 19.80 € (D), 34.80 SFR. ISBN 3-936168-31-8
