Death is not the end.
Melancholia on a hill, a village given back to nature. The village offers nothing, the young would rather scrawl swastikas on the walls of smoggy cities in a country where only the white are welcome.
Forlorn and soon to be forgotten, only the earth is fertile.
Words and pictures from a village in Bulgaria, the fastest shrinking country in the world.
Abandoned houses, farms and villages dot the beautiful Bulgarian countryside. Village life no longer offers opportunity it seems except for the fool hardy and forgotten and perhaps those intrepid enough to bring it back to life.
My exhibition Syrians Unknown is still on display at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford should anyone be passing – previous blog post : Syrians Unknown
In breaking social media news my Instagram page is undergoing something of a renovation, for now it will devoted to street photography from Istanbul where I should also be offering workshops and tours of the seedier backstreets. Just glance to your right hand side to see the link along with my Twitter feed.
Your valued and continued support is much appreciated and should you want to treat me to a much needed cup of coffee just click on this easy to follow page 🙂
John Wreford Photographer 
thank you — sad, mystical thoughts, these…..and my hope to return to bulgaria to experience these…
Thank you Cynthia
Yes absolutely you must-many secrets hidden in the mountains
Thank you for your reflections
Bulgaria is next on our itinerary
Thank you Joy.
Am sure you will enjoy Bulgaria-the countryside and mountains are beautiful especially
That’s sad. My daughter and son-in-law had a holiday in Bulgaria a while back and came back with ideas of how cheap it would be to buy a house there and he could teach… they had also thought of going to Singapore and remote Scottish islands, but ended up in Margate! I woner how viable Bulgaria would have been.
Margate sounds lovely-
Do they not have some regeneration projects going on there?
Bulgaria is indeed very cheap-cheap as you will find anywhere in Europe, not without its challenges but many expats are hard at it. Beautiful country.
Yes they do, with the Turner Contemporary Gallery being a draw. There is a real mix of rundown and being restored and the old town is full of interesting little shops and eating places. The train link to London is excellent for day trippers and commuters which is what my son-in-law does, but hoping to teach in Margate eventually. My daughter works in Margate with the NHS.
Incredible. It must be one of the only countries in the world where the population is declining.
Beautiful, if not sad, images.
Sad but true.
Thank you very much my friend
Beautiful photography! ❤
So nice of you Deborah
Thank you 🙂
Sad, but beautiful
Thank you 🙂
Your photo captures the truth about tombstones: they’re a vain if sincere protest against death. Trees offer hope.
I enjoy the stories gravestones tell.
Yes I know what you mean. I have other projects in mind involving cemeteries so keep in touch.
Love your writing by the way