Echoes of vjosa

Echoes of Vjosa is an exploration of Albania's Vjosa National Park, questioning the conflicting relationship between humanity and nature through metaphorical means.

The Vjosa, Europe's last great wild river, flows between Greece and Albania. In 2023, the Albanian government elevated it to the status of a "national park," the highest possible level of protection for a river, to preserve its natural flow and safeguard the 1,200 animal species inhabiting its waters, 40 of which are endangered. This untamed river stands as a rare survivor in Europe.

Nevertheless, vigilance is still required to ensure its preservation: hydropower dam projects, gravel extraction, deforestation, pollution, airport construction, luxury tourism, asphalt mining, and illegal hunting continue to degrade ecosystems.

This series draws inspiration in part from local mythology, placing it in parallel with current ecological and economic challenges. From passion to disappointment, as harmonious as it is conflicted, the relationship between Albanians and the Vjosa is a delicate balance.