An exhibition titled The Most Important Thing, Portraits of an Escape, at Caixa Forum in Barcelona, highlights the plight of refugees through a series of portraits by American photojournalist Brian Sokol.
What would be the most important thing that you would take if you suddenly had to flee from your home and your country? Though it may seem unimaginable that this could ever happen to you, it is a question that thousands of people have to answer each and every day.
In the last three years, conflicts in Syria, South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Mali have caused severe humanitarian crises. Persecution, widespread violence and the violation of human rights in these four countries have forced more than 12 million individuals to abandon their homes; a third of these have fled to other countries and become refugees.
This exhibition, organised in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), offers an insight into these people’s lives. It sets out to ensure that the plight of refugees is not reduced to simple numbers and statistics. Through the portraits taken by American photojournalist Brian Sokol we can share the testimonies of 24 people who, at the time they were photographed, had just been forced to flee their homes taking only what was most important for them. They are testimonies that prompt us to reflect on what we would do if we found ourselves in the same situation.
Don’t forget to check the program for exhibition-related activities including talks on the subject of international cooperation.
The exhibtion will be on show from September 19 to February 8, 2015.
(Thanks to our student Hanna for the heads up!)