The project is called Barents Stories”, and two of the initiators Ylva Maria Pavval from northern Sweden and Julia Lapshina from the Komi Republic in Russia invite youth all over the region to show what they find important in their community.
- This project is about providing a possibility for youth to display through photos what they highlights as essential for people living in the Barents region and how they see the community they live in, says Ylva Maria Pavval in the Barents Youth Council to Sveriges Radio.
Julia Lapshina from Syktyvkar in the Russian Republic of Komi sees photos as a way of expression which all people can understand, regardless of language or cultural background.
- When you see a photo you can also understand feelings the photographer would like to express. This makes photos a key to understand each other across borders and cultural barriers, says Lapshina.
The project is also initiated to establish connections between youth across borders.
- We believe there is a lot to gain from better cooperation between youth in the north. A photo project like this could be a good start for new projects and also for long lasting friendship, says Pavval.
