The island of Gavdos, located 24 nautical miles south of Crete, is Europe’s southernmost point. It has about 50 permanent residents. Families with children are forced to leave the island when it’s time for the children to go to high school. Most of them never return.



In the winter the island is connected with Crete by a boat three times a week. However, sometimes the boat doesn’t come due to the weather. The island can therefore be cut off for several weeks, sometimes months.



The inhabitants, especially the older ones, live in very hard conditions, in abandoned villages. Mrs. Androniki lives on her own in a house owned by the University of Crete, away from the rest of the community. Once a week the doctor pays her a visit. George lives with his three children in Kastri, Gavdos’ largest village with around 15 residents. He works hard as a farmer and beekeeper and on the land. Nuredin left Morocco four years ago. In the summer he works in a bar and during the winter on construction sites or whatever else he can find. He’s one of the few younger people on the island and he keeps in contact with his family and friends through the internet.



About 60 people used to live in Ambelos 30 years ago. Now there is only an old couple. All the other houses in the village are in ruins. Nikos lives alone in a house just outside Kastri. He’s now about 80 years old, with serious health problems. He has to cook every day and take care of himself. On the walls of all the houses are pictures of people who no longer live here. There is no reason to return.



Gavdos’s landscape, partly covered in cedar trees and pines but otherwise completely deserted, is the constant companion of the people who still carry on living here despite the circumstances.





2nd Public Prize Documentary - Viewbook PhotoStory 2009

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