Romania experienced a historic shift during the 2004 parliamentary and presidential elections when the former communists, who had dominated the country since 1989, were defeated. Outgoing president Ion Iliescu, who had served from 1992 to 1996 and from 2000 to 2004, and prime minister Adrian Năstase both lost, surprising many and marking the beginning of a more optimistic era. It was at this time that I started taking photographs, working with analog film, and documenting rural areas and the outskirts of Romanian cities because I believe that the periphery often reflects reality most clearly.
Romania now has a democratic, pro-European government. Yet questions remain: Will this new leadership break with the semi-authoritarian habits of the past? Will it address persistent issues such as corruption, a lack of transparency, and limited accountability? Is Romania ready to fully align with the rest of Europe, and how long will it take for the wounds of the past to heal?
This photographic series continues to evolve, capturing a nation in transformation. For these reasons, the project remains a work in progress.
Meanwhile, working-class towns, factories, and mines slowly declined due to systemic corruption or simply becoming unprofitable. This, in turn, fostered a massive wave of migration, primarily to Germany, Italy, and Spain. This phenomenon redefined the social and economic structures of many communities.
These processes can be placed within a broader Eastern European context characterized by a shared history influenced by geographical proximity, shifting national borders, and ethnic and cultural diversity in certain regions.
Exploring the multiple experiences of recent history is essential in this context, especially in contemporary Romania, where the memory of the past is frequently used to legitimize political discourse.
To me, the “Bazar Olympics” photo series is more than just a collection of images. It is also a way to document the changes that have occurred over the last 20 years. Each new edition of the Olympics features a different Romanian team, generating expectations among its citizens.
