Marta Berens
Suiti
[ EPF 2015 FINALIST ]
The history of the Suiti people goes back almost 400 years to a romantic story from 1623 when the ruler of the Alsunga region (Kurzeme, Latvia), Johan Ulrich von Schwerin, in order to marry a Polish court lady Barbara Konarska, agreed to re-convert to the Catholic faith. To distinguish residents of Alsunga from Protestants Johan ordered them to wear specific costumes. These have become an important element of identity for the Suiti. Nowadays, protecting their identity, brought by their ancestors through centuries is still important and makes this religious minority very special. Visiting Alsunga is a trip to a place where time passes slowly, people have a strong relation with nature and a romantic story from the past is still present.
Suiti Cultural Space is a unique example of European intangible cultural heritage which since 2009 has been inscribed on UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The Suiti people are very proud of their distinct identity and character.
Bio
Born in Warsaw, Poland
Member of collective “People You May Know”
2012 graduated from the Documentary Workshop with Michal Luczak, at Academy of Photography in Warsaw
2012/2013 member of Mentoring Programme, Sputnik Photos with Adam Panczuk as a mentor
Since October 2013 student of Institut Tvurci Fotografie ? Slezske university v Opave
November 2013 chosen as one of the best portfolio on Portfolio Review in Bratislava 2013, during 2013 “Photomonth Festival”
2014 winner of LensCulture Emerging Talents 2014
2014 participant of ISSP Workshop “Photographing the Past” by Simon Norfolk
2015 Format Festival 2015: Evidence, Derby, UK
2015 Reminders Photography Stronghold Gallery Grant exhibition in Tokyo, July
An award winning photographer, among these, could be mentioned:
*Arts Press Award, KODAK Young Photographer *Atlanta Journalism Awards ( Best Photographer) *Scholarship of the European Social Fund *POYI and POYI Latam *Finalist Oskar Barnak Leica Prize’09 & 2013 *Sony World Photograhic Award ’10 *Fotoevidence 2011, *Eugene Smith Grant 2013
His most complete news articles outside Spain can be read in Time, CNN, IL Magazine, Leica Magazine, Der Spiegel, Stern, GEO, National Geographic, Le Monde 2, El Mundo, El periodico de Guatemala as most important magazines. At the moment, he arranges Humanitarian Photographic assignments.
Related links
His most complete news articles outside Spain can be read in Time, CNN, IL Magazine, Leica Magazine, Der Spiegel, Stern, GEO, National Geographic, Le Monde 2, El Mundo, El periodico de Guatemala as most important magazines. At the moment, he arranges Humanitarian Photographic assignments. -javier Arcenillas
His most complete news articles outside Spain can be read in Time, CNN, IL Magazine, Leica Magazine, Der Spiegel, Stern, GEO, National Geographic, Le Monde 2, El Mundo, El periodico de Guatemala as most important magazines. At the moment, he arranges Humanitarian Photographic assignments. -marta berens.
WOW! Maybe they are twins.