From Romania with Love: 2020 Charity Photobook raised over 51,000 RON

No launch event, no auction of large photo prints: Nothing could happen in the midst of the pandemic, but the photobook project ‘Romania through the Lenses of Expat Women’ still raised 51,837 RON for charity!
The 11th edition of the charity photobook is titled ‘From Romania with Love’ and came out last summer for a price of 60 RON. Now the organisers transferred the profits to the chosen charities.
Since its start in 2010, the project successfully captures the beautiful Romanian landscape, its inhabitants, traditional customs and fascinating history through the eyes of foreigners. The project has grown in strength by adding participants every year. Through their joint creative endeavour, the expat women have been able to raise funds for charities by sharing their unique vision of Romania while supporting local communities in need.
This time the 39 participants chose five charities they wanted to support: Casa Ioana, Hope Rescue Centre, Open Door Foundation, Necuvinte Association and Te Aud Romania each got an equal share of 10,367 RON.
„We were hoping for a long time to be able to host our traditional launch party where large prints of
the photos are auctioned, but this additional source of raising more money for our cause turned out to be an illusion during the pandemic“, said the organisers. „All we could do was sell as many books as possible.“
A record number of 39 participants from 19 countries living in Romania contributed to the project this year: They are from Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Panama, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, UK and USA.
The women were involved in various photography workshops on composition, portrait, and architectural photography, mentored by professional photographers Monica Bommer-Neuner, Irina Pavlova and Kathrin Weident.
The project is supported by an amazing jury of professionals: Monica Bommer-Neuner (MOtography by MBN), Bogdan Dinca (Photo journalist/Documentaria), Dan Draghicescu (Producer Chainsaw Film Productions & Pink Stripe Group) and Helmut Ignat (National Geographic Romania).
They all spent a day in February with the participants, deliberating the final choices for the book. This was no easy task, considering the high standard of amateur photography. The 11th edition makes a perfect souvenir or present, while supporting a good cause.
This year’s project was possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors: Ursus Breweries, Deloitte and Blue Projects; the hard work of its volunteer organisers and further support from Imoteca Residential, the British School of Bucharest, the British Embassy, Noraa Atelier and B:MAD.