Ypatia Kornarou
THE LAKE
Travel means departure and return, in between lies anticipation.
Because my roots come from Asia Minor, my family’s memories intertwine with the narrative of exile. The uprooting of my ancestors is the reason why no single place will ever become “my place,” yet at the same time, the whole world will be. When a homeland has been lost, it does not mean it has been erased, on the contrary, it remains in the soul as an eternal search for the “lost Atlantis.”
Photography in the project "The Lake" is a means for me, as a visitor and traveler, to explore issues concerning people’s connection to their ancestral roots. The photographic process becomes a therapeutic condition for filling the post-traumatic void caused by the loss of my ancestors’ homeland.
And so, in the heat of midsummer, the idea was born, along with a desire to explore unknown destinations that are not typically visited during the summer season. Northern Greece is a distant region for those in the south, and no matter how much you wander, it will always remain unexplored. I was interested in capturing, through a series of photographs, the unexpected side of a journey to the everyday life of border regions.
Because my roots come from Asia Minor, my family’s memories intertwine with the narrative of exile. The uprooting of my ancestors is the reason why no single place will ever become “my place,” yet at the same time, the whole world will be. When a homeland has been lost, it does not mean it has been erased, on the contrary, it remains in the soul as an eternal search for the “lost Atlantis.”
Photography in the project "The Lake" is a means for me, as a visitor and traveler, to explore issues concerning people’s connection to their ancestral roots. The photographic process becomes a therapeutic condition for filling the post-traumatic void caused by the loss of my ancestors’ homeland.
And so, in the heat of midsummer, the idea was born, along with a desire to explore unknown destinations that are not typically visited during the summer season. Northern Greece is a distant region for those in the south, and no matter how much you wander, it will always remain unexplored. I was interested in capturing, through a series of photographs, the unexpected side of a journey to the everyday life of border regions.
Ypatia Kornarou "The Lake"
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The Lake
The central core of the photo shoots was the element of randomness that usually arises during a long journey. The biggest surprise, however, was the unexpected closeness that developed with local residents of the wider area around Lake Kerkini, even when the acquaintance lasted only a very short time.
The realization of a photographic journey in Northern Greece, centered on the area around Lake Kerkini and its surroundings all the way to Bulgaria, serves as a means of capturing the landscapes, the biodiversity, the animals, and the people living in the countryside, far from the alienation of large cities.
I met extraordinary people who were truly remarkable. With a brief confession, they revealed their truths and then smiled broadly. People from the countryside have a certain nostalgic quality as they narrate the charm of the ’80s and ’90s. In their faces, memories of another era are revived, that of childhood, lost innocence. Approachable and hospitable, they rise to the challenge of a photo shoot “On the road” or at the farm with the animals, in the field, in the backyard, or wherever the encounter takes place. Ultimately, in many cases, the photo shoot becomes the occasion for a meaningful connection, allowing us to share true stories.
On a journey, certain things take on special significance, or rather, everything matters, because that is the perfect setting for us to dive into the unnoticed details with perceptive insight. So, I remember the wheat stalks swaying in the warm light of a summer afternoon. I remember the landscapes standing out as something transcendent, like a miracle of nature expressing great emotion, a heavenly confession. Just as it happened when we sat in the back seat of the car and said goodbye to the dirt road of a journey, passing through the cloud of dust and leaving behind a friend we might never see again. But it wasn’t just about saying goodbye; we often wandered around there with a secret smile because we knew the mischief had happened a little earlier, right at noon when everyone was asleep, and that the ice cream was meant to be eaten later.
The central core of the photo shoots was the element of randomness that usually arises during a long journey. The biggest surprise, however, was the unexpected closeness that developed with local residents of the wider area around Lake Kerkini, even when the acquaintance lasted only a very short time.
The realization of a photographic journey in Northern Greece, centered on the area around Lake Kerkini and its surroundings all the way to Bulgaria, serves as a means of capturing the landscapes, the biodiversity, the animals, and the people living in the countryside, far from the alienation of large cities.
I met extraordinary people who were truly remarkable. With a brief confession, they revealed their truths and then smiled broadly. People from the countryside have a certain nostalgic quality as they narrate the charm of the ’80s and ’90s. In their faces, memories of another era are revived, that of childhood, lost innocence. Approachable and hospitable, they rise to the challenge of a photo shoot “On the road” or at the farm with the animals, in the field, in the backyard, or wherever the encounter takes place. Ultimately, in many cases, the photo shoot becomes the occasion for a meaningful connection, allowing us to share true stories.
On a journey, certain things take on special significance, or rather, everything matters, because that is the perfect setting for us to dive into the unnoticed details with perceptive insight. So, I remember the wheat stalks swaying in the warm light of a summer afternoon. I remember the landscapes standing out as something transcendent, like a miracle of nature expressing great emotion, a heavenly confession. Just as it happened when we sat in the back seat of the car and said goodbye to the dirt road of a journey, passing through the cloud of dust and leaving behind a friend we might never see again. But it wasn’t just about saying goodbye; we often wandered around there with a secret smile because we knew the mischief had happened a little earlier, right at noon when everyone was asleep, and that the ice cream was meant to be eaten later.
"When a homeland has been lost, it does not mean it has been erased; on the contrary, it remains in the soul as an eternal search for the ‘lost Atlantis.".
For this beauty, I traveled north, I was certain it would awaken memories and a dreamlike mood, so that my return would have a carefree sweetness. The north is earth, water, and air.
Lake Kerkini is a feast of natural beauty, yet its charm lies not only in what is visible but also in what it masterfully conceals. Repeated visits were particularly fascinating because each time the lake revealed a different face, transforming according to the way the light spread across its shores. However, it was not only the light that changed its landscapes, but also the lake’s visitors, the rains, and the grazing fields.
Everything is visible within the mists of a humid atmosphere, while the silent stillness arises from the desire to listen to the soundscape and the timbre of natural beauty. The golden light falls gently behind the impassable mountains, and just at the moment when you wish it could last forever, it fades away along with the pastures.
The biodiversity of the Lake Kerkini wetland was evident from the very beginning. The area has been characterized as a Special Protection Area for birds, is protected under the Ramsar Convention, and is part of the Natura 2000 network. There are also significant livestock and agricultural activity. It is a place of remarkable natural wealth, well suited for alternative tourism, especially for those who are nature lovers.
Lake Kerkini is a feast of natural beauty, yet its charm lies not only in what is visible but also in what it masterfully conceals. Repeated visits were particularly fascinating because each time the lake revealed a different face, transforming according to the way the light spread across its shores. However, it was not only the light that changed its landscapes, but also the lake’s visitors, the rains, and the grazing fields.
Everything is visible within the mists of a humid atmosphere, while the silent stillness arises from the desire to listen to the soundscape and the timbre of natural beauty. The golden light falls gently behind the impassable mountains, and just at the moment when you wish it could last forever, it fades away along with the pastures.
The biodiversity of the Lake Kerkini wetland was evident from the very beginning. The area has been characterized as a Special Protection Area for birds, is protected under the Ramsar Convention, and is part of the Natura 2000 network. There are also significant livestock and agricultural activity. It is a place of remarkable natural wealth, well suited for alternative tourism, especially for those who are nature lovers.