Romania
Often referred to as the crossroads of Europe, Romania is characterised by medieval towns, spooky castles and cosy farmsteads, interspersed with agricultural hamlets seemingly stepped straight out of the middle ages. Fought over by the Ottomans, Hungarians, Austro-Hungarians, Russian and Polish Empires, this ‘Latin island’ amongst Slavic neighbours has a fascinating multi-cultural heritage with strong agrarian roots. Split by the rugged topography of the Carpathian mountains, Romanian villages were forced to be self sufficient.
Today, a lot of the elderly people remain alone living in rural areas, as the younger generations have moved either to urban areas or other European countries. These photos document some of these individuals living alone.
Still happily married
A couple of 40 years, this husband and wife still shared laughes.
Lost in solitude
This woman lived in a lonely small house, abandoned by her family, just waiting for her to pass in order to tear down the house and build a new one, where the current one stands.
Walking home with a pumpkin
Pumpkins in Romania are mostly used to feed animals rather than for human consumption.
Church in Maramures
Standing in the middle of a forrest, the congregation still walks the distance in order to attend the Sunday service in this traditional Romanian church.
Portrait of a Romanian Shepherd
Portrait of a shepherd and his dogs, taking a break by a river with his herd of sheep in rural Romania.
Missing her children
The woman is holding a photo with her two children, who she hasn't seen in a long time and shared many fond memories with me.
Palinka distiller in Maramures
In his first career, this gentleman, had a hand in restoring historic monuments across Romania.
Living alone
This woman lives in solitude on a hill in a very small hut. She grows the very basic items, such as potatoes, onions and cabbages, in her very small garden. Other items she buys in the closest village, which is a 2-hour hike away. She does the hike at least once a week to ensure she has sufficient food to last her for the week.
Strong sisters
Because one of the sisters had a previous abusive relationship, her sister decided the best way to protect her was to live together. They have done so for all of their adulthood.
Sunday service in Maramues
Inside a traditional church in the Maramues Region during a Sunday service.
Female congregation
Women tend to sit separated from men in churches where they observe the holy mass.
On the way to church
This woman took a long and straneous walk upon herself in order to attend the sunday service in a church on top of a large hill.
Two shephers
An older an young shepherd with their dog at sunset
Blacksmith in his workshop
Portrait of an 85 year old man in his blacksmith workshop, forging a knife.
Finding strength in faith
Like so many other women, this woman has lost her husband some years ago. Her children have moved to the Bucharest and Western Europe and rarely come to visit. She finds her continued strength and will in her devotion to the catholic church, captured in the biblical scene stitched by her.
