In July, my wife Anna and I spent eight days in Ukraine. We decided against any elaborate travel plans and spent almost the entire time in Lviv. We went on day trips to Sokal and Stryi – two places we hadn’t visited for a long time. It was a calm time – eight days without air raid sirens. A time to meet friends and family, but also to explore the Jewish heritage in Galicia.
Yesterday I was awarded with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for my commitment to the Jewish heritage of Eastern Europe – the order is better known as the Federal Cross of Merit. It was handed over to me by Cologne’s Lord Mayor Henriette Reker in the Historic City Hall. Since some friends have already commented on it publicly, perhaps I should say a few words too, because this honour does not only concern me, it is an honour for a whole network of people.
Anyone donating at least 40 Euro for women and children whose husbands and fathers have been killed in the war in the east of Ukraine, gets a high quality print of one of my photos. Three prints are available this month.
Vanished World 