Dec30 2015, Lesbos, Greece Refugees and tourists meet on Lesbos
Lesbos, the Greek island on some 10 kilometres from the Turkish shore, is a place where different kinds of travellers meet, especially today. On the one hand, it has long been a holiday destination for Europeans. On the other, it is the first point of arrival in Europe for many Middle-Eastern and African refugees trying to establish a better life.
Art director Philip Brink and photographer Marieke van der Velden invited tourists and Syrian refugees to talk to each other and turned it into the documentary project The Island of All Together.
What might sound like a bizarre situation turned out to be encounters on a human level. Naturally, the talks touch upon war, dangerous border crossings and family drama, but they’re also about personal dreams, work, hobbies and favourite films.
The short documentary can be watched in full length below. On the website of the project, you can see more clips, photos and portraits of the tourists and immigrants.
Top image: Marieke van der Velden
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