Red Means Resurrection.
Red Means Resurrection is a photographic journey through my father’s homeland — Romania. It is an observation of people, places and moments that unfold unexpectedly. In this journey, I follow a spirit that has accompanied me since the day I was born. An attempt to find the genius loci — not in a place, but through a sequence of moments.
Grandmother
Just like my grandfather, she was born in the village of Văleni-Stănisoara — a quiet, narrow valley in northern Romania. When my grandfather joined the army, my grandmother also moved to Bucharest to work as a maid. Until 1989, she lived in the city, but ultimately returned to her home in the mountains to take care of her mother. After the elderly woman who had baked bread for the local church for many years passed away, my grandmother stepped into her place. Embracing a quiet, almost ascetic life, she took on the role with devotion.
Each Sunday, and especially at Easter, she prepared the sacred bread for the Orthodox Church — a tradition she upheld faithfully until the end of her days. I first came here in 2005, still a child, to meet her for the very first time. Her little farm kept chickens, a rooster, a cow, goats, and a dog. She tended to do everything on her own — cutting the grass with a scythe, washing clothes in the river, and drawing water from the well. The road leading into the valley remained unpaved until recently, and to this day, there is still no running water. Yet, in this simplicity, there is a profound sense of tranquillity.
Many people here are poor, but they’re kind, honest, and grateful even though they’ve worked hard since childhood with little rest. Just look at the valley, someone says. The mountains stretch to the horizon. Brown bears roam the forests. As a child, I once saw one sitting quietly at the edge of the woods, right next to one of my grandmother’s raspberry bushes. As of 2025, my aunt Daniela manages the small farm. Although I do not share a common language with my relatives, their expressions, gestures, and the familiar rhythm of their speech convey a sense of understanding that transcends words. After the rain had stopped, I visited the local cemetery — my grandmother‘s grave — just over there. The majority of the younger generation have left and are living or working abroad temporarily, drawn by the significantly better economic situation there — in stark contrast to the steady decline experienced here since 1989.
(one of the seven short stories included in the book)
Title: Red Means Resurrection
Publisher: Self-Published
Language: English
Binding: Matte Hardcover
Paper: 115 g/m2 Metapaper Extrarough 2.0 white
Size: 250 x 300 mm
Pages: 160
Price: -
Limited Edition of 8
