‘From Romania with Love’ : 2020 Charity Photobook is out now

The 11th edition of the charity photobook titled ‘From Romania with Love’ is now available for purchase at just 60 Lei. Once again, the ‘Romania through the Lenses of Expat Women’ charity project has successfully captured the beautiful Romanian landscape, its inhabitants, traditional customs and fascinating history. Since its start in 2010, 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.

Maria Kearwell, editor in chief, said: “Despite challenges brought by COVID-19, we successfully managed to publish the photobook, even this year. I am convinced that we can raise sufficient funds to support five local charities – Casa Ioana, Hope Rescue Centre, Open Door Foundation, Necuvinte Association and Te Aud Romania – who have also encountered significant obstacles during this pandemic.”

The traditional launch party in May had to be postponed due to the pandemic, but the project organisers are optimistic that they will be able to host a festive auction night in the fall where guests can bid on chosen prints from this year’s edition. 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 BommerNeuner, Irina Pavlova and Kathrin Weident. The project is supported by a 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.