Standing in the sunshine on the flower-decked bridge across the river in the pretty Breton town of La Gacilly, it is impossible to imagine that far away, but on the same planet, millions of people are living on the very edge of existence. But look around the winding, cobbled streets, the riverside meadows, the flint walled buildings and you are confronted by images that bring the reality of those lives right into the here and now.
This year marks the 20th birthday of the international La Gacilly Photo Festival which, every year, draws the work of some of the world’s top photo-journalists to France’s biggest open air festival.
These days, it spreads itself far and wide, its bold, uncompromising images staring out from station entrances, shopping malls and public spaces in towns and cities up and down the country.
The steadily deteriorating state of our world lies at the heart of its artistic mission; whether climate change, environmental exploitation, pollution, urbanisation, poverty, threats to indigenous peoples, social oppression, war, ethnic cleansing. These perils are captured, year after year, by courageous photographers, many of whom spend time amongst endangered communities in order to bring their plight to the rest of the world.
The long traditions of the fearless sardine fishermen of Brittany are regularly at the mercy of the mounting frequency of storms at sea, where the waves rise higher and the winds rage stronger than ever before. High on the Artic Circle, a couple of meteorologists live on the frozen outer limits, charting the way in which the ice is melting, temperatures are rising and this magnificent landscape is slowly but steadily diminishing.
Some of the most arresting images of this year’s festival come from cities where callous 21st century urbanisation is submerging beautiful buildings and historic landmarks. In Cairo, the city sprawl now reaches right to the foot of the Great Pyramids, which once stood proud in a desert landscape; in Addis Abeba, people scrabble for survival amongst mountainous rubbish dumps; in Harare, women work punishing hours in the coal depots, earning a a pittance on which to feed their families.
We are taken to war zones and shown the plight of innocent victims – the oppressive regime of the Taliban in Afghanistan, where women’s rights are being systematically eroded, innocent children – like this little girl in Kenya – are caught up in civil wars and ethnic conflicts, left alone and isolated.
These images may make for difficult viewing, but one of the main aims of this important festival is to encourage us to look beyond our own surroundings and to act with compassion towards our fellow citizens, who are suffering dire hardship, every day of their lives.
But there is beauty too, even in the harshest of images. Their sheer scale is breathtaking, the messages they carry are essential reminders of the need to protect our planet and the people in it.
https://www.festivalphoto-lagacilly.com/en
The Even Hand 