Photo © Jorge Mónaco
Talent of the Year 2020 - NOMINEE: Jorge Mónaco
TRANSNISTRIA, THE COUNTRY THAT DOESN’T EXIST
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After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Republic of Moldavia declared its Independence, but one of its regions -called Transnitria or “Pridnestrovia”- proclaimed its autonomy, producing a violent military confrontation/clash, which caused many deaths. Since 1992, although the ceasefire came into force, the conflict still remains unresolved and Transnistria is de facto independent but unrecognized internationally as a republic, except by Abjasia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh, which are also unrecognized republics.
The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR), its official name, is a narrow strip of land of around 200 km. long, most of its territory on the east side of Dniéster River. It has its own government, military and police system, its flag, emblem and national anthem; its own economy, currency, schools and universities, and most important of all, a sense of nationhood. Transnistria citizens hold their national passports, although these are not legally valid outside the country. Most of its inhabitants are forced to choose another nationality or if not, face isolation.
After 30 years since its creation, the first generation of young people who identify themselves as “transnitrian” emerges as a social phenomenon. They were raised singing the national anthem and with respect for the flag of a country which is not internationally recognized as an independent republic.
Due to economic blockade, aimed to isolate this rebel zone, Transnistria’s economy deteriorates and its people cannot make progress, especially in small rural areas, so many, mostly young people, are forced to migrate to find new opportunities. In the last decade, Transnitria lost more than 200.000 inhabitants, almost one third of its population.
About author:
Mónaco was born in Buenos Aires in October 1957.
He has worked extensively as a teacher, delivering courses, workshops and seminars in many institutions in Argentina, in the private as well as in the public sector.
His work can be found in private and public collections.
He has taken part in collective as well as solo exhibitions.
He usually participates in photography conferences in Argentina and abroad.
His photographs have been exhibited in: Argentina, China, Australia, India, Macao, Belgium, Hong Kong, England, USA, Turkey, Canada, Malaysia, Scotland, Singapore, Portugal, France, Philippines, Luxemburg, Nueva Zealand, South Africa, Rumania, Germany, Sri Lanka, Spain, Japan, Italy, Estonia, Austria, Mexico, Russia y Kazakhstan.
He is also a researcher and carries out a lot of work related to pinhole photography.
In 2002, the Fondo Nacional de las Artes (Argentina) granted him an award for his photographic essay ‘Los Menonitas’ (The Mennonites).
In 1995 he was appointed Director of the ENFO, the School of Photography of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR), its official name, is a narrow strip of land of around 200 km. long, most of its territory on the east side of Dniéster River. It has its own government, military and police system, its flag, emblem and national anthem; its own economy, currency, schools and universities, and most important of all, a sense of nationhood. Transnistria citizens hold their national passports, although these are not legally valid outside the country. Most of its inhabitants are forced to choose another nationality or if not, face isolation.
After 30 years since its creation, the first generation of young people who identify themselves as “transnitrian” emerges as a social phenomenon. They were raised singing the national anthem and with respect for the flag of a country which is not internationally recognized as an independent republic.
Due to economic blockade, aimed to isolate this rebel zone, Transnistria’s economy deteriorates and its people cannot make progress, especially in small rural areas, so many, mostly young people, are forced to migrate to find new opportunities. In the last decade, Transnitria lost more than 200.000 inhabitants, almost one third of its population.
About author:
Mónaco was born in Buenos Aires in October 1957.
He has worked extensively as a teacher, delivering courses, workshops and seminars in many institutions in Argentina, in the private as well as in the public sector.
His work can be found in private and public collections.
He has taken part in collective as well as solo exhibitions.
He usually participates in photography conferences in Argentina and abroad.
His photographs have been exhibited in: Argentina, China, Australia, India, Macao, Belgium, Hong Kong, England, USA, Turkey, Canada, Malaysia, Scotland, Singapore, Portugal, France, Philippines, Luxemburg, Nueva Zealand, South Africa, Rumania, Germany, Sri Lanka, Spain, Japan, Italy, Estonia, Austria, Mexico, Russia y Kazakhstan.
He is also a researcher and carries out a lot of work related to pinhole photography.
In 2002, the Fondo Nacional de las Artes (Argentina) granted him an award for his photographic essay ‘Los Menonitas’ (The Mennonites).
In 1995 he was appointed Director of the ENFO, the School of Photography of Buenos Aires, Argentina.