NOOR

26/11/2024

'𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗽 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁' 𝗯𝘆 𝗡𝗴𝘂𝘆𝗲̂̃𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗵 𝗛𝘂𝗲̂́ – 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺
The Mekong Delta, Vietnam's key rice and seafood producer, faces saltwater intrusion during the dry season, disrupting rice and shrimp farming. The “shrimp hugs the rice plant” model offers a sustainable solution. This method uses saltwater for shrimp breeding in dry months and fresh rainwater for rice cultivation during the rainy season. It increases yields threefold compared to rice monoculture and nearly doubles shrimp output. Nguyễn Thanh Huế, a Hanoi-born freelance photojournalist based in Ho Chi Minh City, focuses on the symbiosis between shrimp and rice plants, highlighting the new hope this brings to local farmers in her story.

Do you know of other innovative practices that blend sustainability and tradition to support communities and the environment? Share them with us in the comments!

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This is the final post in our mini-series from the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴, featured in FIHRM-AP’s 9th issue. Nguyễn Thanh Huế () closes the series with a compelling story, offering hope and insight in the face of the climate crisis.

The work produced in 'Visualising Climate Crisis: Southeast Asia' educational programme makes one thing clear: to confront the climate crisis, we must unite and act now. The stories crafted by these visual storytellers are not merely narratives; they are catalysts for change. They invite us to engage with these stories, share and nurture them, and grow collectively into a force that is greater than the sum of its parts. Read the full article via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGyaHhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHb03OXu8lb7un--qr3Effq6QNwesqaJAp9MSMMDVDXpJO9JMs77Arbd_zw_aem__8urovZGzi5_UVgO_wHQ0Q

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Photos by Nguyễn Thanh Huế, 'The shrimp hugs the rice plant' (2023) – Vietnam

19/11/2024

'𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗼𝘀' 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘅𝗮𝘆 – 𝗟𝗮𝗼𝘀
In Laos, waste generation has surged, causing major issues for communities and ecosystems. A World Bank study shows that effective waste management is limited to urban areas, where only 40-60% of solid waste is collected. Much of the remaining waste is burned or dumped improperly. Many regions lack essential waste facilities and funding, leading to harmful practices. This improper disposal disrupts ecosystems, pollutes waterways, and exacerbates the climate crisis. The resulting pollution affects aquatic life and releases toxic metals, worsening both local and global environmental challenges. Photographer Southida Manixay from Vientiane, Laos, has documented these issues in her work. How can we address such challenges effectively? Join the conversation in the comments!

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This is part of our mini-series from the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 featured in FIHRM-AP’s 9th issue. The third story is by Southida Manixay (), offering a unique perspective on the climate crisis in Southeast Asia. Stay tuned for the final story in this series, or read the full article via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGpPRlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSjy95uW_BjMlF9uXjJPWOLK_0NTF-Ya_sxy6E8U2qrOrDWhmruw9y531w_aem_BQI3RdX3wYfjSpTQyzco4g

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Photos by Southida Manixay, 'Solid Waste Dilemma' (2023) – Laos

12/11/2024

'𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲: 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀' 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻 𝗥𝘆 – 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗮
Cambodia, with its 443 km of coastline, lost nearly half of its mangrove forests between 1989 and 2017 due to salt farming, charcoal production, and shrimp farming. Mangroves are essential to coastal ecosystems, helping to prevent erosion, protect water quality, and reduce flooding. They also provide crucial habitats for species, including fish that are vital to local communities. Majority of Cambodians living by the coast are relying on fishing, the loss of mangroves threatens their livelihoods. Phnom Penh-based freelance photographer Savroun Ry focuses on mangroves to illustrate the severed relationship between coastal communities and their land, emphasising efforts to restore and reconcile in an increasingly hostile climate.

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We continue our mini-series from the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 featured in FIHRM-AP’s 9th issue, with the second of four stories by Savroun Ry ().

Each story in the series offers a unique perspective on the climate crisis and its effects in Southeast Asia, with two more stories to follow. You can also read the full piece via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGgFRVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUVzXr9K0hIEeenaZrrRxG00zC-oEJnl0p-h_Pu_gQEJX3CuMCwK0jWd-Q_aem_iKbdZGbT4Fpe6Ee1O32qtw

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
Photos by Savroun Ry, 'The Last Mangrove: Loss and restoration of mangroves' (2023) – Cambodia
1) Fishermen find clams and snails in the mangrove forest during the low-tide in Peam Krasaob Wildlife Sanctuary in Koh Kong.
2-3) Trapeang Sangkae Fishing Community Members help the group of people from Sathapana Bank team to replant the mangrove trees in Kampot.

05/11/2024

'𝗽𝗛 𝟳.𝟴: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗮' 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗿𝘂𝗴𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶 - 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

Covering over 70% of Earth's surface, oceans play a critical role in climate regulation and serve as the largest carbon sink, absorbing about 30% of atmospheric carbon emissions. However, this process is causing ocean acidification, with seawater pH dropping from 8.2 to 8.1 since the industrial revolution—a 30% increase in acidity, the fastest in 300 million years. This acidification harms marine life, particularly calcifying organisms like shellfish and corals, disrupting their ability to form shells and skeletons. Even fish face increased mortality and developmental challenges. Thai photojournalist and marine biologist Sirachai Arunrugstichai documents the effects of acidification on marine ecosystems in his work.

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We continue our mini-series on the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 featured in FIHRM-AP's 9th issue, starting with the first of four stories by Sirachai Arunrugstichai.

Each story in the series offers a unique perspective on the climate crisis and its effects in Southeast Asia, with more stories to follow in the coming weeks. You can also read the full piece via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGW51tleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZIbaJT_-lm2poEao8ixmGlzdwXfepedzlhModa3TSIUbwpIB30nRbzipQ_aem_c8Oo8jUXABc_rfwbgT9aUg

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Photo by Sirachai Arunrugstichai (), 'pH 7.8: The Future of the Acidic Sea' (2023) – Thailand.
1) A coral bommie exposed from the water at lowtide as seen with aerial thermal imaging, Phuket, Thailand.
2) An aerial image of coral reefs in Phuket, Thailand.

29/10/2024

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲?
Visual storytelling holds a unique power in conveying complex issues like climate change in a way that is both accessible and emotionally resonant. A single image can capture the essence of a story, making abstract concepts tangible and bringing hidden realities to light. This power is especially important in the context of the climate crisis, where scientific data and policy discussions often seem remote and impersonal. Visual stories have the ability to humanise the crisis, illustrating how it impacts real people and communities, thereby eliciting empathy and inspiring action in ways that words alone cannot achieve. Photographs and images in general hold immense evocative, emotional and sensational power which can be used to create a door into the complexity of the issues they portray.

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We continue our mini-series on the article 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 featured in FIHRM-AP's 9th issue. Read the full piece via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us&fbclid=IwY2xjawGNe4BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQJmh67vvSGliZktPMCi_q5nIVJhu8yhQcuE8LflKWz0dJUdrZH8hCE2kw_aem_maADEK3kZ72ruOuwxQh9fw

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Photo by Ponita Keo (), 'Beauty and the Pigs'(2023) – Cambodia: As Sreymom expresses, “We can no longer rely on the sky—only each other and ourselves,” showcasing their resilience in the face of a changing world. Three sisters Samin, Sameat, and Sreymom, potential heirs to their family’s rice farming tradition in Battambang, Cambodia. For generations, their family has cultivated rice, shaping their identity. However, climate change has disrupted their farming, with floods and droughts threatening their livelihood and pushing them into debt. To adapt, the sisters raise pigs and run a makeshift beauty parlour.

24/10/2024

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝟮𝟰 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆!
Today, the Earth calls—her rivers, winds, and forests whispering a plea for change. We stand at the crossroads of crisis and hope, where every action we take shapes the future of our fragile home.

At NOOR images, we capture the stories that remind us of the beauty worth saving and the urgency of action. Through the lens, we see the truth: the time to heal is now. Let's listen, take action, and protect what remains together.

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𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Kadir van Lohuizen (): 'After Us The Deluge', The future human cost of rising sea levels is dramatic. The entire country of Kiribati, for example, will have to relocate, while it is estimated that in Bangladesh about 50 million people will need to move from the delta region by 2050. Nobody knows where they will go. The east coast of the USA is experiencing sea level rise which is three-times higher than the global average. It is predicted that major centres such as the Miami Beach area will need to be evacuated by 2060.

22/10/2024

For ages, storytelling has been humanity’s tool for sharing knowledge, navigating the unknown and preserving collective wisdom. Today, visual storytelling, through the power of images, offers a unique opportunity to generate impact that words alone often cannot match. As the climate crisis grows more severe, how can visual stories help us grasp the scale of this global challenge? Can images bridge the gap between complex scientific data and the public’s understanding?

The climate crisis is arguably the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. With a delicate balance disrupted, we are witnessing a series of consequences whose full impact remains unclear. As the crisis intensifies, it becomes evident that the complexity of the issue highlights a simple fact: change is the only way forward. Acceptance, adaptation, and mitigation are our only chances to survive. But how can we fully understand the extent of these changes, learn what the challenges are and what responsibilities lay with our choices?

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𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘴 is an article by NOOR Images featured in FIHRM-AP's 9th issue, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘌𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦. FIHRM-AP is dedicated to sharing issues related to museum practices that advocate for human rights. Read the full piece via the link: https://fihrmap.nhrm.gov.tw/views/?g=new_unit_content&sid=192&glang=en-us

We will be sharing the stories featured in this article in a mini-series in the coming days.

Caption
Photo by Duy Đào, 'Rust' (2023) – Vietnam: Phan Dung, 30 km from the town centre, endures parching winds and desolate fields. Once-fertile rice paddies now lie barren, reflecting the region’s lost vitality. Home to 238 Raglai households in Tuy Phong, Binh Thuan, livelihoods are shaped by agriculture amid these arid and challenging landscapes.

13/10/2024

Beyond the delicious flavours of chocolate lie the stories of dreams, hope, and community, just as every person in this world. Their voices and their stories often remain untold as we taste the fruits of their labour. This invisibility is perpetuated by a lack of direct connection between consumers and the origin of their chocolate products, something which some in the cocoa industry aim to change.

As the 'Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo' exhibition comes to an end, so does our little series—but the story doesn’t stop here. Their journey continues, and we hope it inspires further connection and reflection.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the community of Amanikro for sharing their stories, to the programme participants, and to mentors Bénédicte Kurzen and Ishola Akpo for their invaluable guidance. We are also grateful to the Chocolonely Foundation and Fondation Donwahi for their continued support of the exhibition. A special thank you to Olivier Khoudiani for representing the NOOR team and our collaborator World Press Photo.

Soon we will share with you impressions of the travelling exhibition. Stay tuned!

NOOR Advanced Visual Storytelling programme participants: Ayaba Lina Florence Mensah, Clara Watt, Fabrice Mbonankira, Guerchom Ndebo, Joannès Mawuna Doglo, Justin Makangara, Maroussia Mbaye, Massow Ka, Ngadi Smart, and Olivier Khouadiani

Captions
1-2-3) Massow Ka: 'Immersion!' - Hands of villagers growing cocoa, Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.
4-5-6) Joannès Mawuna Doglo: 'Liké n’ga bé oumingni' - Everyday objects used on cocoa plantations, telling the stories of forgotten producers, Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.

10/10/2024

Amanikro is home to an extraordinary group of women whose lives and history are entwined with the cocoa-growing community. Alongside the men who grow the cocoa, the women of this community combine ancestral wisdom with a deep respect for the earth in the arduous task of providing food self-sufficiency to the community.

‘𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢, 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘩, 𝘤𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦.’ — Ayaba Lina Florence Mensah

There aren’t a thousand and one opportunities here. The village is entirely surrounded by bush. There are no passable roads, no health facilities, no school, no electricity and little drinking water. There is only one well for the whole village and it takes an incredible amount of strength to use it. For all other sanitation, the population must rely on the marigots, the surrounding streams.

Despite the adversity, Amanikro exudes a certain joie de vivre, a joyful and exuberant spirit of life. When evening comes after a hard day’s work, a spirit of communion predominates between spouses, parents and children, brothers and sisters. Everyone seems to belong to the same family.

'Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo', running until 13th October at Fondation Donwahi in Abidjan. This exhibition, a collaboration with , is made possible with the support of the Chocolonely Foundation and Fondation Donwahi.

Captions:
1-2) Ayaba Lina Florence Mensah: 'The Guardians of the Land' - Portraits of heroic women from the Amanikro community hanging on the leaves of a cocoa tree branch, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.
3-4-5) Clara Watt: 'Grâce à Dieu, Sa Ira Maman' - Shadows and silhouettes of the cocoa community blend with the words and drawings that decorate the houses, Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.

08/10/2024

‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘦𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘬𝘳𝘰.’ — Fabrice Mbonankira

In Amanikro, a Baoulé village in the province of Divo, west of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, everything revolves around a tree with exceptional powers: the cocoa tree. Nearly everyone in Amanikro is a cocoa farmer. Village is centered on around the cocoa plant, shaping daily routines and festivities. Spirituality, family values, and artistic expression interweave hopes, fears, and joys into the fabric of everyday life. The community is the lifeblood that sustains its people, and the bonds between residents resemble those of a close-knit family. Men and women, parents, elders, children, brothers, and sisters come together as one family, each contributing uniquely to the community's resilience and strength.

We will continue to share the stories from the exhibition 'Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo', running until 13th October at Fondation Donwahi in Abidjan. This exhibition, a collaboration with , is made possible with the support of the Chocolonely Foundation () and

NOOR Advanced Visual Storytelling programme participants: .photojb, , , , , , , , , and .

Captions
1-2-3) Fabrice Mbonankira: Amanikro Utopia - Life in Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.
4-5-6) Olivier Khouadiani: 'Mi Ti, head in Baoulé' - Children of Amanikro acting out what are symbolic interpretations of the Goli mask, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.

04/10/2024

“𝐴𝑛 𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚, 𝑎 𝑐𝑎𝑘𝑒, 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑦, 𝑎 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡, 𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑚𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑝𝑡𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑥𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠... 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡. 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 “ℎ𝑚𝑚!” 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑥ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 “ℎ𝑎𝑛!” 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑒𝑥ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡ℎ. 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑜𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑚. 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑏𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑡. 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑡. 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑝 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑎 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑘𝑦 ℎ𝑢𝑡. 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑙𝑙, 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑢𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠. 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑠ℎ... 𝑁𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑡. 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑡𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡.’’ — Gauz’

The poetic narrative "Amanikro, Chimera of Cacao, Mirage of Chocolate" by Gauz complements the exhibition, offering a reflective view on cocoa production. Today and tomorrow, he leads a writing workshop at Fondation Donwahi to help photographers enhance their work with words.

Captions
1-2-3) Ngadi Smart: ‘Shadows in Still Life’, A photo-collage exploring the concept of the 'invisibility' of cocoa farming communities, Divo, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.
4-5-6) Maroussia Mbaye: ‘Cocoa Dreams’, The cocoa-growing community and youth of Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.

02/10/2024

“𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘬𝘳𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥.” — Guerchom Ndebo

Let’s explore the vibrant narratives of cocoa-farming communities in Côte d’Ivoire through the lens of visual storytellers featured in the exhibition ‘Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo’, currently on display.

Over the course of eight months in 2023, participants in the NOOR Advanced Visual Storytelling programme worked closely with mentors Bénédicte Kurzen () and Ishola Akpo (). They spent quality time with cocoa communities, engaging with local storytellers and capturing their lives, traditions, and the essence of their shared bond. The exhibition offers a rich tapestry of life in local cocoa-growing communities, providing an intimate glimpse into the small village of Amanikro.

We will share these stories with you in a series leading up to the end of the exhibition, which runs until 13th October at Fondation Donwahi in Abidjan. This exhibition is made in collaboration with , supported by the Chocolonely Foundation () and .

NOOR Advanced Visual Storytelling programme participants: .photojb, , , , , , , , , and

Captions
1-2-3) Guerchom Ndebo: 'Road to Cocoa', Amanikro, Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.
4-5-6) Justin Makangara: 'In Amanikro, Cacao is King', Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.

30/09/2024

“𝘕𝘖𝘖𝘙 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘞𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦’𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴.” – Stanley Greene

𝗡𝗢𝗢𝗥’𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿: 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, 𝗔𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
As the industry and global culture continue to shift, NOOR has been adapting to meet these changes. After much reflection and with the trust and support of our founding partners, whose legacy will always be a vital part of NOOR, we are taking a significant structural step forward: transitioning from a collectively owned agency led by its photographers to an independent foundation that supports a global community of visual storytellers and educational initiatives. This transformation enables us to more effectively support and showcase a diverse range of voices while carrying NOOR images into a sustainable future.

In line with this new framework, we’re excited to welcome Sarvenaz Fassihi as our new managing director. Sarvenaz brings extensive experience working with international foundations.

We are committed to addressing pressing global challenges—such as climate crisis, forced migration, and social injustice—through the lens of ethical representation and inclusivity. We aim to create a future where visual storytelling reaches new heights, connecting people across borders and bringing critical narratives to the forefront.

Read more about our vision and Sarvenaz’s interview in our latest newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/noorimages/noor_new_chapter

Image by Stanley Greene: Grozny, April 2001.

13/09/2024

Calling all in Abidjan! The exhibition “Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo includes a special public program on 14 September at Fondation Donwahi, . Join us for an inspiring day featuring presentations by photographers Ishola Akpo, Bénédicte Kurzen, and Olivier Khouadiani, followed by a panel discussion on documenting communities.

Location: Fondation Donwahi, Abidjan
Address: Boulevard des Martyrs, Cocody 2-Plateaux, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Date & Time: 14 September, 11:00-14:00 & 18:00-19:00

Programme Highlights:
11:00-14:00 | Morning Session:
11:00-11:45: Ishola Akpo explores the role of archives in shaping the present, focusing on the importance of memory in constructing community identity.
12:00-12:45: Bénédicte Kurzen shares insights from her collaborative projects, including the powerful stories of the Land of Ibeji and the Chibok girls.
13:00-13:45: Olivier Khouadiani, Abidjan-based photographer, presents "Golikro," blending fiction and reality to delve into the lives of children in a cocoa-producing community.

18:00-19:00 | Afternoon Session:
Panel Discussion & Q&A on documenting communities through collaborative practices and innovative methodologies. Featuring: Ishola Akpo, Bénédicte Kurzen, and Olivier Khouadiani. Moderated by Anna Alix Koffi.

Supported by the Chocolonely Foundation and Fondation Donwahi, this exhibition showcases powerful photographs centered around the theme of community and will be on view until 13 October. Engage with global and local perspectives on community and storytelling. Use the hashtag to join the conversation!

Photographers included in the exhibition:

NOOR Foundation: Fabrice Mbonankira, Clara Watt, Guerchom Ndebo, Joannès Mawuna Doglo, Justin Makangara, Maroussia Mbayé, Massow Ka, Olivier Khouadiani, Ayaba Lina Florence Mensah, Ngadi Smart
World Press Photo: Anna Boyiazis, Tara Todras-Whitehill, Matthew Abbott, Benedicte Kurzen and Sanne De Wilde, Nadia Shira Cohen, Lalo de Almeida, Lee-Ann Olwage, Kim Kyung-Hoon, Rena Effendi, Aaron Huey

For more info check our website: https://www.noorimages.com/exhibition-celebrating-communities

Photo by Olivier Khouadiani: Mi Ti, ‘head’ in Baoulé , Côte d’Ivoire, 2023.

11/09/2024

Photographer and director Kadir van Lohuizen’s latest project, , which explores the effects of our food consumption on the environment, public health, and the economy, continues its tour.

On 12 September, Kadir will host an online masterclass at De Donkere Kamer platform. In this master class, Kadir will talk about how to work on a long-term project and how to combine photography with video. He will also present examples from the "Food for Thought".

From 19-22 September, the "Food for Thought" series will be exhibited at the Gallery Vriend van Bavink, booth 53, during the Unseen photography fair held at Gashouder, Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam. Following this, the project will be featured at the YEAST Photo Festival, an international photography event in Matino, Italy, from 19 September to 3 November.

The book of the project will be available for purchase at all these events and can also be ordered from our webshop: https://shop.noorimages.com/
Photo by Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR

06/09/2024

NOOR Images and World Press Photo Foundation present ‘Celebrating Communities,’ an exhibition and public program in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, and four cocoa-farming communities in rural Côte d'Ivoire, with the support of the Chocolonely Foundation (Tony's Chocolonely) and the Fondation Donwahi.

Featuring ten bodies of work from NOOR's education program, ‘Advanced Visual Storytelling in Cote d’Ivoire,’ and ten award-winning projects from the World Press Photo Contest, this exhibition highlights diverse perspectives and narratives, underscoring the profound impact of community on individuals and societies both globally and locally.

‘Celebrating Communities’ will be on display at the Fondation Donwahi in Abidjan from 14 September to 13 October, and a traveling version of the exhibition will visit Yamoussoukro and four cocoa-farming communities: Adzopé, Daloa, Méagui, and Heremakono Dies - Divo.

More information about the exhibition and a selection of photographs can be found on our webpage: https://www.noorimages.com/exhibition-celebrating-communities

Photographers of the Exhibition
NOOR Foundation: Fabrice Mbonankira, Clara Watt, Guerchom Ndebo, Joannès Mawuna Doglo, Justin Makangara, Maroussia Mbayé, Massow Ka, Olivier Khouadiani, Ayaba Lina Florence Mensah, Ngadi Smart

World Press Photo: Anna Boyiazis, Tara Todras-Whitehill, Matthew Abbott, Benedicte Kurzen and Sanne De Wilde, Nadia Shira Cohen, Lalo de Almeida, Lee-Ann Olwage, Kim Kyung-Hoon, Rena Effendi, Aaron Huey

Exhibition "Celebrating Communities: Photographs from NOOR Foundation and World Press Photo" in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro and four cocoa-farming communities in rural Côte d’Ivoire 14 Sept - 13 Oct 2024.

19/08/2024

On this World Photography Day, we celebrate the power of images to illuminate the world around us. For over 17 years, NOOR images has been committed to capturing the world with integrity, passion, and respect. As honest witnesses, we believe that the still and moving images we create can inspire action and spark change.

Join us in celebrating the art of and its profound ability to connect, inform, and inspire. Which image has inspired you recently? Tell us in the comments—we'd love to hear your stories!

Captions:
1) Stanley Greene () / NOOR: Open Wound, Grozny, Chechnya, January 1995.
2) Andrea Bruce () / NOOR: Afghan women and children mourn the loss of family members, who were killed in a raid by U.S. Special Forces, near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, 2010.
3) Sanne De Wilde () / NOOR: Portrait of a man walking in the snow, Finland, Lapland, 2013.
4) Tanya Habjouqa () / NOOR: Banksy art installation on the Occupation wall, Bethlehem, Occupied West Bank, January 2019.
5) Kadir van Lohuizen () / NOOR: Rising Tide, Marshall Islands, Majuro, 21 April 2019.