Cinzia DAmbrosi

Tearsheet hanging on the wall in the home of Sali Ibrahim, the Roma poetessa that is living in Fakulteta Mahala roma ghetto in Sofia.

Sali Ibrahim a roma poetess living in Fakulteta Mahala roma ghetto in Sofia, Bulgaria

In the roma ghetto of Fakulteta a roma woman is rummaging through rubbish.

Daily life in Fakulteta Mahala,the largest roma ghetto in Sofia Bulgaria.

In the Roma ghetto of Sofia, Fakulteta Mahala, normal city services do not reach there. There is no public transport,no road management, hardly working electricity and water.

The main road that passes through the ghetto divides the two sides in one poorer than the other. Even in the ghetto there is a social hierarchy. This is the poorest part of the ghetto.Fakulteta roma ghetto, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Roma children on a horse wagon in the roma ghetto Fakulteta in Sofia, Bulgaria.

A Roma woman in her home in the Roma ghetto Fakulteta, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Roma gypsy woman in the roma ghetto in Sofia called Fakulteta. Sofia, Bulgaria

Services like road maintenance, electricity, waste collections, public transport are not present in Fakulteta, the roma ghetto in Sofia.

Daily life in the Fakulteta roma ghetto in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Roma Gypsies living in Fakulteta Mahala, Roma Ghetto on the outskirts of Sofia, Bulgaria

The Roma ghetto of Sofia, Fakulteta Mahala has some shops, schools and coffee shops run by Roma and serving only Roma. This is a coffee shop in the ghetto.

Fakulteta Mahala, the largest Roma ghetto in Sofia, Bulgaria is a world apart from the rest of the city. Here the normal city services do not exist. The public transport, health services, road management, waste collection and so forth do not reach the Roma ghetto.

Roma gypsy outside a shop in the roma ghetto of Fakulteta Mahala, in Sofia, Bulgaria

From the side of the roma ghetto overlooking the rest of the city of Sofia. The road divides two different worlds.

The roma quarter of the city of Kyustendil in Bulgaria elects a major to overlook the ghetto. The roma major in his office. Kyustendil, Bulgaria

The school in Kyustendil roma gypsy ghetto. Schools in the roma ghetto are called segregated school because there are only roma children in the school. There has been little effort so far to de-segregate the schools. Kyustendil, Bulgaria.

Everyday life in a Roma ghetto. Many Roma sell whatever they can get hold of, often black market goods where they are not paying any taxation on it.

A coffee shop in the roma gypsy ghetto of Kjustendil in Bulgaria.

Roma gypsies in the roma ghetto of Kjustendil selling shoes on the door steps of their home.

Roma gypsies in the roma ghetto of Kjustendil in Bulgaria.

Roma gypsies in the roma ghetto of Kjustendil, Bulgaria.

In the Roma ghetto many of the services provided to cities are not provided such as waste collection. The Roma in the Kjustendil ghetto use the area around the river crossing the ghetto for waste disposal.

A roma gypsy woman trying to clean the surrounding area of her habitation by sweeping rubbish to the river that runs through the roma ghetto of Kjustendil. The river runs by the sheds where the roma people live and it has become the place where uncollected refuse is thrown into. Kjustendil, Bulgaria

In the Roma ghetto many of the services provided to cities are not provided such as waste collection. The Roma in the Kjustendil ghetto use the area around the river crossing the ghetto for waste disposal and for burning the rubbish.

A Roma gypsy man walks with his horse in the river that runs across the Roma ghetto in Kjustendil, Bulgaria.

Roma gypsies in the roma ghetto of Kjustendil, Bulgaria. A roma woman and child outside their home in the ghetto.

Second day of a roma gypsy wedding. The spouse is taken from her home and the loss of her virginity is celebrated by the whole village. Kjustendil, Bulgaria

Roma gypsies often sell goods in the Roma ghetto as unemployment is rife among them. Most goods are illegal and therefore only sold in the ghetto.

Second day of a roma gypsy wedding in the roma ghetto of Kjustendil, Bulgaria. The woman's loss of virginity is celebrated by the roma population in the ghetto. They are married during their teens to ensure that she is virgin.

A second day Roma wedding. The celebration is about the loss of the spouse's virginity. Often her mother in law is very happily showing her to the village.

In Fakulteta Mahala, the largest Roma ghetto in Sofia, Bulgaria there is a school that has over 1.000 children. These are all Roma students hence the name of segregated school.

Sali Tasheva, roma gypsy teenager dancing in her home in the ghetto of Fakulteta in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The roma poetess Sali Ibrahim with her niece, Sali dancing roma dance or belly dance in their home in the ghetto of Fakulteta in Sofia, Bulgaria.

A Roma teenage girl in the Roma ghetto Fakulteta Mahala in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying mountain. Illegal coal mine. It is a small coal mine owned by a private individual. A coal mine at work. the trolley is slided down on the rail into the tunnel.

Coal is used widely in every household both as a mean of heating, cooking. Part of the coal is sold on the streets to the people. Individuals buy it in large amounts and in a rough form and then sold on the streets in carts and on bicycles.

Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying Mountains in South West China. An illegal coal mine normally run by a business man in complicity with the local sheriff. Illegal coal mines are generally situated in the inner parts of mountains and very small. If accidents occur they are simply shut and covered as if they never existed. In coal miners run illegally accidents occur more frequently because health and safety measures are ignored. Just the bare fact that these mines run on just one point of entrance and exit makes them extremely dangerous because if an accident occurs close to the shaft there is no passage to escape from. However, the economic boom of the recent years in China has seen a huge migration for work particularly from rural areas because of the enormous decline in farming. Many desperate people leave their homes searching for work and accepting any terms of employment.

A coal miner working overground digs and carries coal in wicker buckets. Wangjiazhai, China

Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying mountain, an illegal coal mine. China is one of the largest producer of coal in the world, but it has also one of the worse recorded mining conditions. To make matters worse, illegal coal mining has increased over the years making coal miners lives at even more risks. Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying mountain is an example of one of the illegal coal mines. The safety measures in the illegal coal mines are almost no-existing. To name, some trolleys pushed by the miners often escape the broken rails, there is only one exit and entry point...

Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying mountain in South West China. An illegal coal mine normally run by a business man in complicity with the local sheriff. Illegal coal mines are often situated in the inner parts of mountains and very small. If accidents occur they just shut and covered as if nothing ever was running there..A coal miner outside the cave working on the coal extracted.

Coal miners working in overground mining.

A coal miner in Wangjiazhai, South West China, working over-ground mining. Coal miners carry up to 50kg of coal on their back. They are paid by the amount of buckets they fill and carry.

Large groups of coal miners live in the same accommodation in the proximity of the mines. They share all the amenities. Yushe Coal Mine, illegal coal mine on the Laoying Mountain.

Normally large groups of coal miners live in the same place in the proximity of the mines. They live together sharing all the amenities. .Laoying mountains, Yushe Coal Mine.

The village of Wangjiazhai has a coal refinery where many of its inhabitants work. The air is filled with the greyness of coal. When i look at this picture i always feel as being the end of something.

Surface mining from an open cast mining covers large areas of the village of Wangjiazhai. Coal is extracted and carried into wicker buckets to the refinery. Men and women carry up to 50kg of coal on their back and they are paid by the amount of buckets.

Women are not allowed to go down the caves because of superstition so they work on surface mining only. Their work varies from digging to carrying coal and does not differ from that of men.

Many of the villagers of Wangjiazhai work with coal from selling to refining, digging and collecting. Their homes and lifestyle are quite poor and coal seems to be part of it from being a source of income to be is used for heating and cooking.

Overground coal is extracted and carried into wicker backets to the refinery. Men and women carry up to 50kg of coal on their back and they are paid by the amount of backets.

Children of coal miners are helping out, often at an early age. Surface mining in Wangjazhai, China

A chinese coal miner returning to the village of Wanghazhai after a day work.

The village of Wangjiazhai has a coal refinery where many of its inhabitants work. Workers outside the refinery.

The Coal is ready to be sold on the streets. People employ coal for heating and cooking. Here it is weighted . Individuals often buy it in large amounts and then sold on the streets in carts and on bycicles.

Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying Mountain in South West China is an illegal coal mine run by a business man in complicity with the local sheriff. Illegal coal mines are often situated in the most remote parts of mountains and are very small. If accidents occur they are simply shut and covered as if they never existed. In coal miners run illegally accidents occur more frequently because health and safety measures are ignored. The economic boom of the recent years in China has seen a huge migration for work from rural areas because of the enormous decline in farming. Many desperate people leave their homes searching for work and accepting any terms of employment.

Many of the villagers of Wangjiazhai work with coal from selling to refining, digging and collecting. Their homes and lifestyle are quite poor and coal seems to be part of it from being a source of income to be is used for heating and cooking. Children help their parents in collecting coal.

Zhi Du Coal Mine, Laoyshing mountains. This is a legal coal mine. Workers are registered and do enjoy better working conditions. Two coal miners resting.

China is one of the largest producer of coal in the world, but it has also one of the worse recorded mining conditions. To make matters worse, illegal coal mining has increased over the years making coal miners lives at even more risks. Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying mountain is an example of one of the illegal coal mines. The health and safety measures in the illegal coal mines are almost no-existing.

Rubber boots on coal mine. China is one of the largest producer of coal in the world and it has also one of the worse recorded mining conditions. And to make matter worse, illegal coal mining has increased over the years making coal miners lives at even more risks. Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying mountain is an example of one of the illegal coal mines. ..

Wangjiazhai is a coal village. Coal permeates the life style of its inhabitants and it is the main source of income. Coal is employed for heating and cooking.

China is one of the largest producer of coal in the world. Some areas where coal is abundant the whole population works around the coal from extracting, refining, selling and also employing it for cooking and heating. Many women are working in coal mining, although they are not allowed to work underground. . .

Families live close to the mines. Their homes and lifestyle is connected to mining and to the use of coal. A woman and child outside their home.

Wangjiazhai, a village of coal miners. Coal seems to be everywhere, on the roads, on the colour of the houses and on people.

Overground coal is extracted and carried into wicker backets to the refinery. Men and women carry up to 50kg of coal on their back and they are paid by the amount of buckets.

Families live close to the mines. Their homes and lifestyles are connected to mining and to the use of coal. Liupanshi, China

China is one of the largest producer of coal in the world, but it has also one of the worse recorded mining conditions. To make matters worse, illegal coal mining has increased over the years making coal miners lives at even more risks. Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying mountain is an example of one of the illegal coal mines. The safety measures in the illegal coal mines are almost no-existing.

Lan Ba Coal Mine, an illegal coal mine on the Laoying Mountains in South West China. Illegal coal mines normally are run by a business man in complicity with a local sheriff. They are generally small and situated in the inner parts of mountains. If accidents occur they are simply shut and covered as if they never existed. In illegal coal mines accidents occur more frequently because even the basic health and safety measures are ignored. Just the bare fact that these mines are run on just one point of entrance and exit makes them extremely dangerous: if an accident occurs close to the shaft there is no passage to escape from. However, the economic boom of the recent years in China has seen a huge migration for work particularly from rural areas because of the enormous decline in farming. Many desperate people leave their homes searching for work and accepting any terms of employment.

Coal miners often live in the closest villages or next to the mines. Wangjiazhai is a typical coal mining community. Those that live in this village work in the mines nearby, in the refinery and or in surface mining. This is the main square of Wangjiazhai village with some of the coal miners returned from work.

Women are not allowed to go down the caves because of superstition so they work on surface mining only. Their work varies from digging to carrying coal and does not differ from that of men.

Wangjiazhai is a coal mining village in South West China. Many of its inhabitants work with coal from digging, transporting and removal. Surface mining from an open cast mining covers large areas of the village...

There are a lot of women working in coal mining in China. They are not allowed underground due to superstitious belief that they would bring bad luck but they work in overground mining. Their tasks are equal to men. Wangjizhai, South West China.

Entire families live and work in coal mining. Often they live in proximity of the mines. Children of coal miners since early age help out. Zhi Du coal mine. This is a legal coal mine.

China is one of the largest producers of coal in the world, but it has also one of the worse recorded mining conditions claiming thousands of lives every year. To make matters worse, illegal coal mining has increased over the years putting the coal miners' lives at greater risks. Lan Ba Coal Mine on the Laoying Mountain is an example of one of the many illegal coal mines. Safety measures are no-existing; broken rails, only one exit and entry point and no protective clothing or equipment to name a few.

Following the economic downturn in Iceland many people found jobless from one day to another. Bing is an IT Consultant working for the Landsbanki in Iceland. Although in maternity leave she found herself with no job to go back.

Thousands of demonstrators take part in a rally in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, calling on the government to resign for the national financial crisis, Nov. 2008. The government took control of the three largest banks, whilst the Icelandic economy remain in unprecedented instability. The population has lost confidence and trust in the government. Many losing their life savings and jobs. The situation remains even more precarious due to the lack of international aid loans and trade shrinking. A banner on the Parliament wall says "Who has stolen the cookies with the dollar sign?"

Demonstrator outside the Icelandic Parliament.

Thousands of demonstrators take part in a rally in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, calling on the government to resign for the national financial crisis, Nov. 2008. The government took control of the three largest banks, whilst the Icelandic economy remain in unprecedented instability. The population has lost confidence and trust in the government. Many losing their life savings and jobs. The situation remains even more precariuos due to the lack of international aid loans and trade shrinking.

Icelanders demonstrating against the government. Reykjavik, January 2009

Thousands of demonstrators take part in a rally in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, calling on the government to resign for the national financial crisis, Nov. 2008. Demonstrators in Parliament Square in Reykjavik.

Following the economic breakdown in Iceland, many shops closed down or moved within Reykjavik in smaller spaces or less central spaces . Many premises are for rent.

Red Cross second hand shop in Reykjavik.

Arion Bank, former Kaupthing bank. Reykjavik, Iceland

Kolaportið, the weekend flea market next to Reykjavik harbour. It is really the alternative to the shopping street trades. Kolaportið is a mix between a car boot sale and a flea market, between people looking to clear their load of storage stuff and those that have serious stalls. Kolaportid has also a fish market where one can buy some Icelandic specialities like Harðfiskur (dried fish), whale meat and rotten shark.

Kolaportið, the weekend flea market next to Reykjavik harbour. It is really the alternative to the shopping street trades. Kolaportið is a mix between a car boot sale and a flea market, between people looking to clear their load of storage stuff and those that have serious stalls. Kolaportid has also a fish market where one can buy some Icelandic specialities like Harðfiskur (dried fish), whale meat and rotten shark.

Today, Ulfarvatn, a suburb of Reykjavik is a ghost area. It was meant to become a fashionable inner city residential heaven with up to 4.000 people to build their homes there. Today they are hardly 200 people living in the area in a surrounding that hardly resemble a town. Most homes in fact are unfinished due to the sudden economic collapse of the country. Services such as medical, schooling, transport are non existent. Magnus and Drifa are among the very few people that managed to move in Ulfarsvatn.

Every Saturday demonstrators from every part ot Iceland would go to the city of Reykjavik in front of the Parliament staging a demonstration and demanding to have their money back.

Hardly visited before the economic crisis hit Iceland, today Godi Hirdirinn, a second hand shop in Reykjavik is a very popular shop. It has queues every day before opening.

"We protest" banner in Babalu Coffee shop in centre town, Reykjavik. The banner epitomise the frustration of the Icelanders towards the government involvement in the banking collapse of the country.

Thousands of demonstrators take part in a rally in Reykjavik, capital of Iceland, calling on the government to resign for the national financial crisis, Nov. 2008. The government took control of the three largest banks, whilst the Icelandic economy remain in unprecedented instability. The population has lost confidence and trust in the government. Many losing their life savings and jobs. The situation remains even more precariuos due to the lack of international aid loans and trade shrinking.

Today, Ulfarvatn, a suburb of Reykjavik is a ghost area. It was meant to become a fashionable inner city residential heaven with up to 4.000 people to build their homes there. Today they are hardly 200 people living in the area in a surrounding that hardly resemble a town. Most homes in fact are unfinished due to the sudden economic collapse of the country. Services such as medical, schooling, transport are non existent. Magnus and his family are among the very few people that managed to move in Ulfarsvatn.

Swimming in the cold sea is an Icelandic custom that was slowly vanishing,however since the economic crisis this custom has revamped. It is in fact believed to be a way to destress and to cope with life obstacles.

Following the economic crisis in Iceland, many Icelanders' homes have remained unfinished. Thus, the birth of suburbs like Ulfarsvatn that resemble a ghost town.

Following the economic crisis in Iceland, many Icelanders' homes have remained unfinished. Thus, the birth of suburbs like Ulfarsvatn that resemble a ghost town.

Following the economic crisis in Iceland, many Icelanders' homes have remained unfinished. Thus, the birth of suburbs like Ulfarsvatn that resemble a ghost town. Signs that offer the houses to let for homes that are not finished yet. The suburb meant to be a very elegant area was meant to house around 4.000 people however only 200 people are living in the area.

The only coffee shop in the highland camp where 1.500 migrant workers live. The camp is adjacent to the largest glacier in Europe.

One worker going back to his room after his work shift. Karahnjukar, Iceland

Workers live in the highland camps under the largest European glacier Vatnjokul. Some workers with long contracts took the family to live with them.

Some workers that have a long term contract brought with them their families, which were to stay at the highland camps.

Postcards of a beautiful Iceland in the only supermarket on the highland camp where the workers of the Karahnjukar dam live.

Items for sale in the workers highland camp in one of the two shops serving 1.500 workers.

Most workers unless with families live only in a room in the highland camp. Normally these were subdivided by various contractors.

The highland camp with its 1.500 workers became the fifth largest city in Iceland. The camp is like an autonomous space where everything runs for its workers. This is the laundry operation for the workers.

Gaetano Viscardi, an Italian worker in his accommodation. This is a bed, a wardrobe and no much else.

One of the largest group of workers come from China, hence buses going to the tunnel and back have the writing in chinese. Karahnjukar, Iceland

Worker ending his night shift on his way to the highland camp where he lives with other 1.500 workers from everywhere in the world. Karahnjukar, Iceland.

After a night shift in the main tunnel, workers are picked up by bus taking them to their lodgings in the camp.

Patrizia, from Italy. She works as a bar attendant in the Impregilo camp's club. The Italian company, Impregilo, is one of the main companies contracted for the construction of the dam. Controversially, it is also among the most criticised in the way it handles the workers rights.

At one point the highland camp had 1.500 workers, skilled and unskilled from everywhere in the world. Workers watching a football match in the social club.

Workers coming out from one of the tunnels in the construction of the Karahnjukar dam. Karahnjukar, Iceland.

A factory closed down from years in the centre of the town.

Most of the town hall offices are in various places around the town. After the earthquake of 1981, the historical building that used to hold the town hall was fairly damaged. Money sent from the central government for its reconstruction disappears as soon as it arrives.

The local market used to be something that the local were proud of. Today not many people is even going to shop in it.

The stadium of Battipaglia is another example of a corruption ring in the construction business. The stadium was only open and used as such for a football season. In a matter of a 3 months period the stadium was closed down and left it as such. Today the local town hall has some temporary offices in it.

Rubbish uncollected in the streets of Battipaglia.

Public work of arts and monuments are vandalised like this statue of a renowned local sculptor, Vincenzo Carucci. There is no pride.

Many homes have asbestos roof tiling. People have little knowledge of the asbestos danger to health neither is the local government enforcing regulations regarding its use.

Since it has become public knowledge the extent of the damages caused by the illegal dumping of waste to the health and the environment, the people living in the region have been fighting for the waste landfills to be closed down.

This is the only park of the town and it is shows the extent of its neglect. For years it has not had a proper maintenance and care.

Battipaglia is a town in the south west region of Campania in Italy. Plagued by social problems, camorra (local mafia), a disappearing infracture, decay and high unemployment the town struggles to keep itself afloat. Battipaglia is not a unique example of a country that is changing enormously and it is losing its battle for keeping to the European standards. How can Italy keep itself afloat?

The stadium of Battipaglia is another example of a corruption ring in the construction business. The stadium was only open and used as such for a football season. In a matter of a 3 months period the stadium was closed down and left it as such. Today the local town hall has some temporary offices in it.

Many homes and buildings are not populated because illegally built.

Battipaglia is a town in the south west region of Campania in Italy. It is plagued by social problems caused by unemployment and crime. Sadly, it is not a unique example in a country that struggles to keep afloat.

A subway that is another example of a useless construction. A lot of money is spent on useless constructions as a cover of large sum of money. Most of this constructions are left unfinished.

Since the 1981 earthquake Battipaglia home office hasn't had a permanent address. The money which were sent from the central government disappeared..

Today some of the town hall offices are in a disused stadium

A clinic whose employees have not been paid for 15 months has closed down.

De Amicis primary school was closed down because of lack of funding. This was the main primary school in the centre of town.

Italy has to rely on armed security for public buildings like banks.

"I am not laughing and I am not forgetting" a protest bill poster against the local political party.

For Italians the main square of a city is the fulcrum. This is the place where to leisure, to host events and to proudly show off a work of art and so on. Today many of the squares like the one in Battipaglia has only signs of urban decay and neglect.

Children and teenagers do not have places to play and the ones that are available have not been maintained for years.

In the last few years the region of Campania has hit headlines for its inability to manage waste in the hands of the Camorra lucrative business.

Playgrounds show signs of complete neglect.

Young people are left out by any government spending.. No in fractures to assist them. Battipaglia has no cinema, theatre or safe sporting grounds. Campania has a very high percetage of drug addicts.

Alongside drugs and criminality prostitutionn is a rising concern. Whereas before was confined to the outskirts of the towns nowadays it is operating in the town centres.

The main train station of Battipaglia.