#45daysofblogging 43: Searching for equilibrium

Day 43 - September 29

So here's Ana's story. Created during two days in July 2016 in Slovenia, in the framework of the TC Facing the Street. 

#45daysofblogging 42: creating a photo story (and a photo exhibition)

Day 42 - September 28

As I already mentioned, I went to Slovenia not for tourism, but for a project. It was focused on developing our skills in the field of digital storytelling and also on helping each participant to create a photo or a video story. 

The best part was that we were not creating out stories. We were going to tell some one else's story - the stories of people, that lived through tough times, encountered obstacles in their lives and decided that they want to tell their stories to us (and to public).

#45daysofblogging 16: Sicily is...

Day 16 - September 2

Sorry, I'm still struggling with internet and really hope that tomorrow the problem will be resolved, but for now I have no choice but to write all my posts in Word and then post all of them together. Oh, so much for 45daysofblogging and posting every day as a personal challenge!

I think I’ve mentioned my photo exhibition I’ve had in Palermo in the beginning of 2015 (yes, I am modest like that!). But I’m pretty sure I’ve never posted any photos, so here we go. 

I’m very aware of the fact that I have a long way to go before I will be able to call myself a photographer with confidence. I have many things to learn and many experiences to live. But this is the thing I absolutely love to do and I will not change it for the world. I was actually seriously considering doing a master’s degree in photography, but then life took me in another direction. 

My article about the life of Palermo

A few weeks ago I got an offer to write an article about Palermo and the way it embraces diversity for a Ukrainian cultural magazine. 

Of course I agreed. Palermo became my second home two years ago, and I have a lot of admiration for the way people here find ways to live together quite happily, even in the face of economic crisis, all types of migration and high levels of corruption. 

Sicily is one of the most diverse regions in Europe - not only due to migration, but also to comparatively low prices and developed civil society, that brings here many international volunteers, interns and Erasmus students.

So I wrote an article about all the projects I personally am involved with and the ones I know about, about block parties and Palermo Pride, about Catholic church that invites Muslim community to pray, as they currently have no mosque and works with LGBTQI organisations to organize manifestations against hate crimes, about international volunteers that make workshops on urban gardening for children from underprivileged neighborhoods and many other things that I see with my own eyes every day.

Unfortunately the article is available only in Ukrainian, but if there's any interest in this topic, I'd love to write something regarding this topic also in English. 

You can read the article by clicking on the link:

PALERMO: THE PLACE FOR EVERYONE

My article about life on Sicily

Some time ago I was contacted and offered to become a part of a project about Ukrainians who live abroad and write an article about my life on Sicily.

I had the best time writing, editing and looking through my photo archives, so now I'm very, very pleased with the result. Unfortunately it's only available in Russian, but I plan to translate it into English in the nearest future.

You can read the article and/or look at the photos by clicking on the link:

LIFE ON THE ISLAND

2015 in pictures

Normally I have no patience to do posts like this, but this year I felt like doing it. This year was very difficult for me. I had a lot of disappointments, rejections and doubts, but, at the same time, I had a few really great accomplishments I’m really proud of. So yeah, difficult, but very important. I wish there was a way to grow and learn in a less painful way, but that’s just life, I guess.

Let’s go!

January

January on Sicily started with a wonderful snowstorm – first in more than 30 years. The days were quiet cold and sad – people from my project were leaving. I was happy I was staying, but we started this wonderful adventure all together, and saying goodbye is always hard for me.

On January 6^th (which is my Christmas Eve) I went on a day trip to Isola delle Femmine – a small town one hour away from Palermo – and made this photo, which became one of my favorites.