Several years ago, I embarked on a journey through the Balkans, specifically Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, with the goal of photographing the region’s abandoned monuments, known as ‘spomeniks’. While I explored in capturing these striking structures, I also discovered a region rich in contradictions and complexities.

These spomeniks are memorials built during Tito’s Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Many are situated in remote areas, now left to decay and challenging to find. They stand as haunting reminders of a past that some would prefer to forget, while others say we should never forget. These monuments showcase a brutalist architecture influenced by early Soviet design, evolving into a more abstract style unique to Yugoslavian artists and architects.

In each photograph, I aimed to present these monuments artistically, regardless of their current state. My intention was to capture them objectively, without judgment, preserving their essence and purpose. While the history of this troubled region offers much to explore, this series aims to showcase the relationship between the monument and the camera, allowing each structure to speak for itself.

A year later I returned to the area but now to Bulgaria to continue capturing more of these incredible monuments. 

I am a photographer and not a historian. Most of my research can be found on the website, “Spomenik Database” (spomenikdatabase.org). If you would like to explore the rich complexities of these monuments, I highly recommend you visit this website.