ルーマニアのジプシーの社会的写真
Entrevista a Mugur Varzariu
“Hay una gran diferencia entre los estereotipos y la realidad de los gitanos”
El fotógrafo rumano se ha convertido en el abanderado de la defensa de la comunidad romaní y no descarta dedicarse a la política para seguir con su lucha
FOTOGALERÍA La voz gráfica del pueblo romaní
Pablo Linde Barcelona 14 ABR 2014 - 18:45 CET
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Interview Mugur Varzariu
"There is a difference between stereotypes and reality of Roma"
The Romanian photographer has become the standard bearer for the defense of the Roma community and does not rule out entering politics to continue their fight
PHOTOGALLERY Graphic Voice of Roma
Paul Linde Barcelona 14 ABR 2014 - 18:45 CET
Mugur Varzariu , 44 , is an unusual character . Have yourself a consideration of almost messianic : "I want to be remembered as a good person , not a great photographer ." The truth is that he knew nothing of his office until four years ago , when he left his comfortable life as a marketing strategist and began to portray and denounce social injustices. The image is a tool for him as it could be any other. In this time it has become the standard bearer for the defense of the rights of Roma in Romania , his country , and a professional highly respected internationally . For this he was one of the speakers at the Conference on Social Photography I in Barcelona, where this interview took place .
Question. Why ended all to start this new life ?
Response . It happened in 2010. Evolve as a human being , I realized that my life had to have another meaning, beyond making money. Years before I went back to coincide with a school friend , who gave him lessons in exchange for watching videos, because he had a VHS and I do not . It was the only way to access foreign films. This was about 1984. Upon finishing high school , I was not seeing him 20 years. He happened to read an article I had published . He contacted me and we saw. AFP photographer was and I liked what I was doing. I asked if he thought I could be a photographer . I responded , "Well, let's try ." In January 2010 I went to take pictures of Holocaust remembrance in Bucharest. The saw and after editing, he assured me that he believed he could devote to it . So I decided to dedicate myself to be a photographer and social issues.
Q. decided to leave everything overnight ?
A. Yes, from one day to another .
Q. How was the first day ?
Terrifying R. . He was lost like Alice in Wonderland. I did not know where to start or what to do . The first questions were: what kind of social issue I'm interested in? Where can I find it? How I can contact them? How I can get into the communities? The first step I gave in 2007 when a friend asked me to donate some money to a priest who ran a place of refuge for homeless children without state protection. I explained that my money bought windows for a house . And I said I want to go there and see those windows to which I contributed .
Q. Was the first thing I did?
A. Yes, first. Before did not even know how to use the camera well , what type of lenses used . In that project I was experiencing things . Shortly after that I started taking pictures about religion. That led me to India, because my work caught the attention of Le Monde and I proposed a trip there. My idea was: I want to show it in front of the deity are all equal. We are united in belief , we are not different .
Q. We moved a religious sentiment?
A. No, I believe in being good. It is most important to me. That can interpret any religion, Orthodox fits with Catholics, with Buddhists ... with anyone.
Q. Do you identify with the phrase that to be a good photographer you have to be a good person ?
R. Clear . It is key to being a good social photographer . It can not be if the people he photographs not have a good perception of you.
Q. Does a photographer or activist is considered more ?
A. Only use photography as my voice speaker bearing further and louder than my words. If I had 80 years I would not want to be remembered as a photographer, but as a good person.
Q. So would not mind switching device such video ?
R. Many propose me : CNN , BBC ... I do not want to.
Q. Why ?
R. Photography is the most sincere environment. It is a second , no way to lie . The video has more processing. But I have no such problem to leave photography and use other means such as public speaking or politics
Q. seriously considering entering politics ?
A. In my country I am struck by politicians as a punching ball . And this year I received an offer from the Liberal Party to get on the list for the European elections . I refused , for now. I told them they had to change things for me to align yourself with them.
Q. Do you agree with his policies?
A. No. The policy is in Romania and Africa. The only difference is that we do not kill with machetes. They have destroyed the country in 25 years of incompetence and corruption. They managed to change the attitude of people . Now nobody wants to vote. This can also happen in Spain . If you're not aa the polls , they leave the decision to the parties , institutions and families. Therefore, although living in a democratic country , it is not, because your voice does not count.
Q. Why was devoted to photographing the Roma people ?
A. Before 2010, when French President Nicolas Sarkozy Romanian Gypsies expelled , was not even aware of their situation. I give thanks to you because it made me see Sarkozy . I noticed the big difference between the stereotypes that the media and take the reality of these peoples, that neither the politicians nor the Romanian citizens are interested in talking . I thought there was much to teach and no one did . I am a strategist and I know that to be successful was to differentiate myself . It was a sacrifice because he sought fame or money . But I 'm the only one who does, and in a way that has achieved worldwide attention and the most important international organizations : UNICEF , Amnesty International ...
P. says his work changes things , what happened to a wall they were doing in Baia Mare to segregate Roma ?
A. In 2011 I learned of the intention of the mayor to build this wall two meters. At first wanted to install video cameras and police to isolate the Roma in their ghetto .
Q. Is that legal?
R. In Romania it is. Authorities do if no one fights against. And do not blame the Romanians to be blind to this reality because Sarkozy himself said it was right to return to their country Romanian gypsies 3,000 euros. If France does it, why not us? I went to the city and stayed for a month, from the time they began to build the wall. I sent letters to all the ambassadors , international agencies and used everything I had in my hand to spread the message that it was discriminatory. Last year, the Romanian court ruled that it did. But now they have to be NGOs that fight to pull the wall . Nobody does it because there is a high level of corruption also among these organizations. I can say that I know more about the Roma in Romania that the NGOs working with them . Lots of people just looking to earn a living with this cause. All they do is work for a partnership and place their family , they are not professionals. They are friends of the State and seek to get money from it rather than those who fight against injustice it produces.
Q. So you started to think about creating your own foundation ?
A. Yes, to fight for myself administrations since personam there are many steps that can not be done. I know it would be possible to pull the wall in a few months . But capital was asking me 20,000 euros , just for the constitution of the foundation. I had everything done until the money requested . This happened a few days ago and I think I'll try doing a crowdfunding campaign to create it and fight it against these injustices.
P. is faced with governments and NGOs ; should not be a comfortable position in your country.
A. I'm not looking to have a comfortable position. At least I sleep with a clear conscience . The state is the biggest enemy and NGOs have lost their way . I teach them correct. I would be happy if my actions I become an inspiration to some gypsy someday become a hero to his people.
Q. Who lives in your photographs?
A. Everything I do with my media. I invest in my projects and then sell some, but work on the Roma is not in high demand . I make money when a newspaper sent me to a job. But all this does not cover 30% of costs. The rest comes from my family. My wife is my sponsor . She works as a chief financial officer .
Q. It works thanks to his wife ?
A. Yes , most of my work is unpaid . But my wife believes in me tells me that if I did not I would not do anyone.
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