In 2019, Arnold van Bruggen and I launched The Europeans — a ten-year visual and written journey into the heart of Europe at a time when the continent is under pressure. With authoritarianism on the rise and the European dream under strain, our goal is simple but urgent: to tell independent stories that bridge divides and spark dialogue.

Inspired by the documentary traditions of Jacob Riis, August Sander, Dorothea Lange, Robert Frank, and Henri Cartier-Bresson’s Les Européens, our project is both a cultural chronicle and a call for connection. After three years of exhibitions, publications, and deep storytelling in four regions, we’re now building something bigger — including cross-border collaborations and an international photography school.

Introducing our limited-edition European T-shirt — made from organic cotton, designed with love, and selling fast. Each purchase supports our independent project with €16.55. No returns, no fast fashion — just real support for real stories. We’ve also launched a Support Ukraine edition, where proceeds go directly to defending Ukraine.

Wear your values. Support independent storytelling in Europe.

The Europeans is a multi-year storytelling project that cannot exist without financial support. Fortunately, there are people who support our work and help tremendously by adopting a region. They provide the foundation for our work, for which we are infinitely grateful. In order to be able to continue the project, we are also reliant on grants and sponsors. And that’s the reason why we are delighted to announce that the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) has committed to the project with an intention for five years. With the only task for us of continuing to create stories in our own way and occasionally sharing them through their distribution channels. Thank you ECF!