Shabbat impressions

Why they are in such hurry? Whenever I meet them, they always run. I went to Me'a She'arim - the Jewish orthodox neighbourhood in Jerusalem and asked about it. 'That's our code' - one of them told me. 


There are two things you do, if you are an orthodox Jew. Studying Torah and praying. So where to hurry?
Unless it is Friday afternoon and in few minutes starts the Shabbat. Then you run. Straight to the Western Wall.


© Mieszko Stanislawski / Babel Images

The Face of Belarus

Belarus - the last European dictatorship. Before coming here, I couldn't believe that I would find here even one hippie. Before coming here, Belarus had the face of its one and only sovereign - Aleksander Lukashenko.
But Belarussian hippies - yes, they exist! Being permanently watched by uniforms and plainclothes, they managed to find their own little zone of freedom.

The first Rainbow Gathering in Belarus, June 2010.

© Mieszko Stanislawski / Babel Images

Goanny

"I think that the World Cup is nice for the country. Now a lot of people from all around the world are coming here and that is good. I would like to watch a game of Brazil vs. Portugal. I like Cristiano Ronaldo so much... but for me it's impossible to buy a ticket. 140 rands (15 Euros) is too expensive. Maybe it is a good price for many people from this country but I don't have work and without it... it's difficult to get money. If I could earn some I would go and see one game in Soccer City. I will have fun with all my friends making noise with our vuvuzelas".
Name: Goanny
Age: 22
Ethnicity: Xhosa
Occupation: Unemployed
Soweto, Johannesburg. June 20, 2010

© Jonathan González / Babel Images

High hopes (over and over again)

"... builds". An electoral poster of a candidate in the presidential campaign in Poland. Bochnia, 21.06.2010.

© Grzegorz Ostrega / Babel Images

Survivor

"I'm a survivor, I always know how I have to move...for that during the times of Apartheid, me and my family went ot Tanzania to try to be well, without problem. When the Apartheid fell I came back here, to my home, my neighborhood. I was born here, where also Nelson Mandela and archbishop Desmond Tutu. I'm happy to live here and now I help my neighborhood taking your garbage and recycling. I'm my own boss. 
The FIFA World Cup is ok, it's good for our country but it's also too dirty. Look behind me, everybody drink a lot and then I have to take your garbage... but that's my work. 
I would like to see Bafana Bafana playing against Brazil or Spain. Everything is possible right now... maybe in quarter finals... why not?."
Name: M'Zoly Mxalika
Ethnicity: Zulu
Born in: Orlando East (Soweto)
Age: 50
Education: non
Soweto, Johannesburg. June 16, 2010


© Jonathan González / Babel Images

Some normalcy, at last

After years of being a symbol of civil war, genocide, poverty and underdevelopment, Phnom Penh has gradually become a regular, cosmopolitan city again, with not much excitement other than intense nightlife, live concerts and visits of famous artists, Nobel Prize winners and world politicians. Recently revitalized, cleaned and paved riverside promenade is a spot which gives encouraging sight of normalcy and sound of people freely enjoying peaceful times.

© Grzegorz Ostrega / Babel Images

Flood in Poland

Following intensive rains in the south of Poland and in the Czech Republic, both the Vistula and Oder river systems (the biggest in Poland) are not able to deal with the amount of water. Poland is experiencing heaviest flood since years. Some experts worry that current situation might turned out to be worse than during the "Flood of the Millennium" in July 1997.
Rescue workers securing the Vistula river banks in Krakow. May 19, 2010

@ Aleksander Bochenek / Babel Images

Townships of Cape Town

View of Gugulethu, one of the townships in the suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. The term township usually refers to the (often underdeveloped) urban living areas that, under Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites (principally black Africans and Coloureds, but also working-class Indians). Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities.

© Jonathan González / Babel Images

Sad reunion

After decades a group of journalists and photojournalists covering the Vietnam War and Cambodian Civil War in 60's and 70's met again in Cambodia at an emotional reunion. First they traveled to Wat Po, the place in Kampong Speu Province, where in 1971 nine journalist from CBS and NBC networks got killed, five of whom were beaten to death by then cooperating North Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge soldiers, to commemorate them at a special ceremony. Next day they gathered in Phnom Penh's hotel Himawari to share their war experiences and answer questions from the audience. Main speakers were: Sylvana Foa (two times Pulitzer Prize nominee), Dan Southerland (foreign correspondent, now the vice president and executive editor of Radio Free Asia), and Jon Swain (the author of "River of Time", portrayed by Julian Sands in "The Killing Fields" movie). Many others were also present, among them the legendary war photographer Tim Page.

On the photograph: Dan Southerland kneeling down before the provisional altar for journalists and photojournalists killed in their service in Vietnam and Cambodia. Hotel Himawari's lounge in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 22.04.2010.

© Grzegorz Ostręga / Babel Images

National tragedy on tv

Milion people in Poland watched news about accident of the government plane. On the board was polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife as well as several other top-ranking officials.

©  Adam Kokot / Babel Images

Wet and Happy New Year!

The Burmese community in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is small but well organized. Its members stay close and support each other when needed. On a daily basis they meet at their local and only traditional restaurant - Irrawadi. This is also the place hosting their New Year celebrations, which are similar to and same time as the Khmer New Year, in 2010 starting on April 14th. However, Thingyan - the Burmese New Year Water Festival - distinguishes itself from Cambodian tradition. While Khmers festive use of water is basically limited only to ritual ablutions, Burmese are literally soaking themselves in it for three to five days before the New Year's Day for spiritual cleansing and purification. Water-throwing, pouring and dousing are essential and no one is supposed to refuse or get upset. In modern-day Myanmar Thingyan is the biggest annual festival.

On the photograph: a group of young Burmese immigrants dancing on the street and pouring water on each other, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 14.04.2010.

© Grzegorz Ostręga / Babel Images.

Poland mourns air tragedy victims

Poland has launched a week of national mourning, following the devastating plane crash in Russia that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife as well as several other top-ranking officials. Ninety-six people were killed after the aircraft crashed near the airport in the Russian city of Smolensk. The Polish officials were there to mark the 70th anniversary of a massacre of Polish officers in Katyn.

© Mieszko Stanislawski / Babel Images

Polish President Lech Kaczynski died in a plane crash

10 April 2010 - Polish President Lech Kaczynski died in a plane crash in Smolensk, Russia.

© Mieszko Stanislawski / Babel Images

The Liberty of Mandela

Cape Town, 11th of February 2010. This is one of the most important dates in South Africa. This day South Africans celebrate the liberty of Mandela after 27 years in prison. "Madiba" was free in 11th on february of 1990.

© Jonathan González / Babel Images

Resurrection of Jesus

Highlanders during procession for the worship of Jesus' resurrection. Poland, 2010

©  Adam Kokot / Babel Images

Mystery play at the Centre of mentally retarded children

Mary is crying over the tomb of her son Jesus. It is one of scenes of the lordly mystery play which was prepared at the centre for mentally retarded children. Poland, 2010

©  Adam Kokot / Babel Images

I am Jesus, the Son of God.

Since the beginning of XVII century pilgrims from all over Poland and Europe come to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska (30 km from Krakow, Poland) to take part in the most important Passion Play in the country. This year during Easter more than 150 000 pilgrims will come to see the last days of Jesus' life.
This year brother Kalikst will play Jesus, the Son of God. I wonder what does he feel when people pray to him...

© Mieszko Stanislawski / Babel Images

Recycling the history

Wearing a helmet while riding a motorbike seems to be mandatory in Myanmar. Some drivers don't even take them off when walking the streets. And, apparently, one of most popular head protection devices among Burmese people is WWII Wehrmacht helmet with Nazi emblems. They explain they love them so much because swastika - symbol used by Hitler - comes from the ancient (Indo-European) religious background most of them follow within Buddhism.

On the photograph: a young Burmese motorbike driver from Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) in Mandalay Division, Burma.

© Grzegorz Ostrega / Babel Images

Ukrainians choose president

On 17th of January Ukrainians choose their president. Viktor Yanukovych, pro-Russian opposition leader leads in all surveys and in second round of elections he will probably face present prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Politicians accuse each other of buying votes, warn against counterfeiting and try to mobilize their supporters, but there is no chance for repeat from 2005. Five years after The Orange Revolution citizens of immersed in crisis Ukraine are bored with politics and mostly don't care who will become their next president. On the photo: Lviv on the eve of elections.

© Michal Kowalski / Babel Images