BAZAR OLYMPICS
During the 2004 parliamentary and presidential elections, Romania experienced a historic shift when the former communists, who had dominated the country since 1989, were defeated. Outgoing President Ion Iliescu, who served as Romania’s elected president 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, aiming to document this period of transition. The country 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.
