Perspectives Shortlist

The island of Cyprus has been divided since a civil war started between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in 1974. The northern part of the island – the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – comprises about 40 per cent of the island, but is not internationally recognised, while the south belongs to the Republic of Cyprus. To prevent further escalation, UN peacekeepers monitor the ‘Green Line’ between the two sides, which runs through the capital, Nicosia, ‘making it the world’s only divided capital.’ In the city, the buffer zone is only metres wide, but it can be measured in kilometres in rural areas. This allows it to contain entire villages, which has a deep impact on their inhabitants’ lives. In Burning Sun on Frozen Conflicts, Lea Greub tells the stories of people whose lives are shaped by the conflict, giving a face to this highly political situation and the people affected, who have been largely forgotten.

Lea Greub is a documentary photographer based in Berlin and Tbilisi. Her work focuses on socio-political and queer-feminist issues, as well as European politics, with "borders" playing a central role. Lea reflects on her own privileges, which contrast sharply at Europe's external borders. Through her work, she aims to raise awareness of the EU’s role and responsibility and critically examine how political decisions influence the lives and rights of individuals.