“FEMEN is a good example of how one’s body can be used to fight for one’s rights”

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French photographer Guillaume Herbaut, one of the winners of the World Press Photo, speaks about his work in Ukraine

Why did you choose the photo of a FEMEN activist to be presented at the World Press Photo?

“It seemed to me that it is a very positive photo, a kind of a positive look from Europe. It is like a symbol of a successful civic movement uniting people from a certain community to fight the injustice. I chose that photo not because of some technical characteristics, but because of its message and the power it has.”

Is there anything else that you would like to photograph in Ukraine and that could potentially be the best photo of 2011 according to the World Press Photo?

“I have been working in Ukraine for 10 years now and I just feel that I have to come here every year. I have taken photos of Chornobyl, the Crimea, Donetsk, and other places of Ukraine. FEMEN is an international movement for me and a good example of how people can use their body as a weapon to fight for their rights. Do I have any other photos that could have won? I think I do. However, the jury’s choice is hard to predict.”

Currently Europe knows Ukraine mainly because of its gas problems and the image of FEMEN. However, there are more things that could be interesting for Europe and the world. Weren’t you surprised to hear that Queen Anna of France came from Ukraine and the French presidents swear on the Gospel Anna brought from Ukraine?

“We do know that Anna had the Ukrainian origin and that Ukraine and France have a lot of historical links. For me Ukraine is certainly an interesting country I want to understand, it has an extraordinary culture and an important geopolitical place in Europe.”

People’s attitude to things and even countries is often based on visual images. The World Press Photo Exhibit will take place in more than 40 countries of the world. In your opinion, how will the audiences interpret your photo?

“It will depend on the countries. In Europe everyone understands what this movement means. Arab countries are different.”

Some photographers think that similar photo contests present the reality the photographers want to show. Photographers tend to choose topics they more or less know rather then break stereotypes. What do you think is the role of your photo? What are you trying to show with it?

“We can see a young person saying that she wants to be free. It is very important to me to show how women defend their rights. It is important to photograph and show that such movement exists. Today body has become an instrument helping show one’s beliefs and promote one’s ideas in a more efficient way.”

Looking at the photos that won I have an impression that they rather have a certain political message or some technical or esthetic characteristics. In your opinion, does a certain political implication matter when the jury is choosing the winners?

“It should be discussed with the jury. I have never been on a jury that is why I cannot explain it but I think that it does not matter in what country the photo was taken.”

Could you tell us about yourself: how many years by now have you been working in Ukraine? What have you already photographed?

“I have photographed a lot over 10 years in Ukraine: the Orange Revolution, miners in the east, Lviv, the Crimea, Russian topic in Sevastopol, I have taken photos of Odesa to show a nice festive city. It is interesting to me to show what is happening in your country the more so its geopolitical role in Europe is growing.

“It is easier to work here. The first contact with people is difficult: nobody smiles and nobody is friendly. However, 10 minutes later people get very friendly, invite me at their place and agree to help while taking photos. In France people are not very friendly either at the beginning or an hour later, so working there is very difficult.

“Before I start I speak to people a lot, it is important to me to know these people, to know what they think and feel. I am sure that I will come back to Ukraine in a couple of months to make my next project. I do not know what it will be, but I will come back for sure!”

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