São Paulo – After visiting countries in the Middle East to register the daily life of refugee children, Brazilian photographer Karine Garcez has strengthened her link with the cause. After her first experiences in 2014-2015, when she was in Beirut, Lebanon, Gaziantep, Turkey, and Yarmouk, Syria, she has decided to organize tours with Brazilian groups.
Garcez’s first experience leading a tour was last year, when the group (picture above) visited the refugee camps Ein El Hilweh Camp, Burj Barajneh Camp, in Sabra and Shatila, Lebanon, and Syrian camps in Beqaa Valley. Eleven Brazilians undertook that trip, which was led in partnership with the travel agency Mabattour, based in São Paulo.
This year, the photo expedition will be more touristic, and the idea is that the Brazilian group may also opt to visit refugee camps. “I’ve decided to change the trip format including photography classes. This way, the trip will be more focused in tourism and photography, keeping the visits to refugee camps as an option. I will visit the camps, do what I’ve set out to, but the group may feel free to join or not. For those who choose not to visit the camps, they will be offered an extra activity or an early return,” said Garcêz.
The photo classes will be taught by her. “I will teach them how to best use their equipment, how take the best photos. Composition, image position,” explained the photographer. The departure from Brazil is scheduled to occur in 3rd July.
Their first stop will be in Egypt, where the Brazilians are going to visit Cairo and Alexandria. In Lebanon, the group goes to Deir el Qamar, Moussa Castle, Beit ed-Dine, Byblos, Anjar, Zahlé, Ksara, Baalbek, Batroun, and Beirut. For those who opt to visit the refugee camps as well, the trip continues to Badawi camp in Tripoli and Sabra and Shatila, Lebanon, and the Syrian camps in Beqaa Valley.
Karine Garcêz is photographer and studies foreign relations in the Federal University of Ceará. More information on the tour may be obtained through the email karineggarcez@gmail.com.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
