R.G.T, Ethiopia

“I am not yet in a place to openly talk about what I went through in Ethiopia. I require all my strength to live my current life and hope that one day this will change. Being a survivor feels like I am always fighting something on the inside to maintain my very existence and normality in my life.
My projected photograph shows the Ethiopian coffee ceremony. The coffee ceremony is the most important social occasion in many villages, and it is a sign of respect and friendship to be invited to a coffee ceremony. Guests at a ceremony may discuss topics such as politics, community, and gossip. There is also abundant praise for the ceremony’s performer and the brews she produces. Coffee has a long history of association with Islam, and it is said that a transformation of the spirit takes place during the three rounds of the coffee ceremony thanks to coffee’s spiritual properties. The photograph reminds me not of one friend, but of the community spirit and the freedom to be able to speak about anything.”