Balkan photography, Green nuclear shift and Hollywood’s hidden wildlife: culture’s new frontiers

The Balkans through a lens: history’s shadows and contemporary vitality

Irina Rozovsky’s latest photobook, Black Mountain Heart, offers a striking visual journey through the Balkan states, where the vibrancy of everyday life coexists with the weight of history. The images—captured in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and beyond—depict brass bands, bottles of rakija, and landscapes bathed in a blood-red hue, evoking both celebration and unresolved trauma. Rozovsky, a photographer known for her intimate yet expansive style, balances these dualities without resorting to cliché. Her work, published by MACK, avoids the pitfalls of post-conflict photography, instead presenting the region as a living, breathing entity where the past is never far from the surface.

The Balkans have long been a subject of fascination for artists and documentarians, often reduced to narratives of war or ethnic division. Rozovsky’s approach subverts this tendency, focusing on the resilience of communities rather than their suffering. In one image, a group of musicians plays in a dimly lit tavern, their faces illuminated by the glow of a single bulb; in another, a child clutches a toy against a backdrop of crumbling architecture. These moments, both ordinary and extraordinary, challenge the viewer to see the region beyond its geopolitical stereotypes.

The photobook arrives at a time when the Balkans are once again in the spotlight, not for conflict, but for their cultural renaissance. Festivals, literary prizes, and artistic collaborations are flourishing, even as the region grapples with political tensions and economic challenges. Rozovsky’s work is a reminder that culture can be both a mirror and a catalyst—reflecting a society’s complexities while pushing it toward new narratives.

The Green Party’s nuclear U-turn: a pragmatic shift or ideological surrender?

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the UK’s environmental movement, the Green Party of England and Wales has abandoned its longstanding opposition to nuclear power. At its annual conference, members voted to replace the party’s “blanket opposition to nuclear fission” with a more nuanced stance, one that assesses nuclear projects on a case-by-case basis alongside other low-carbon technologies. The decision marks a significant departure from the Greens’ traditional anti-nuclear stance, which had been a cornerstone of its energy policy for decades.

The shift reflects a growing recognition within the party that the climate crisis demands pragmatic solutions, even if they conflict with ideological purity. Nuclear power, which provides a steady, low-carbon energy source, has gained renewed attention as the UK struggles to meet its net-zero targets. The Greens’ new position aligns them more closely with Labour’s energy strategy, which includes nuclear as part of a broader decarbonisation plan. However, the move has not been without controversy. Critics within the party argue that nuclear power is expensive, slow to deploy, and carries risks of radioactive waste and proliferation. Others see it as a necessary compromise in the face of an existential threat.

The debate over nuclear power is not new, but it has taken on fresh urgency as the UK grapples with energy security and rising costs. The Greens’ decision underscores the tension between idealism and pragmatism in climate politics—a tension that is likely to define the environmental movement in the years ahead.

Reclaiming visibility: African women in the frame

Congolese photographer Pamela Tulizo is challenging the historical erasure of African women with her latest series, a striking visual exploration of strength, resilience, and identity. Tulizo, who grew up in Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, draws inspiration from the women in her community—her mother, her sisters, her neighbours—whose lives have often been overlooked or reduced to stereotypes. Her work, which blends portraiture with staged scenes, places women at the centre of the frame, both literally and metaphorically.

In one photograph, a woman stands in a lush, verdant landscape, her body draped in a vibrant fabric that mirrors the colours of the earth. In another, a group of women hold hands in a circle, their faces obscured by traditional masks, evoking themes of collective memory and cultural heritage. Tulizo’s images are not just portraits; they are acts of reclamation, offering a counter-narrative to the colonial and patriarchal representations that have long dominated African photography.

The series arrives at a moment when African women are increasingly asserting their presence in the global art world. From the rise of female photographers in West Africa to the growing recognition of women-led collectives, the continent’s cultural landscape is undergoing a transformation. Tulizo’s work is part of this broader movement, one that seeks to redefine how African women are seen, both by themselves and by the world.

Hollywood’s hidden wildlife: the creatures beneath the sign

The Hollywood sign, an iconic symbol of Los Angeles, is often associated with glitz, glamour, and the entertainment industry. But beneath its towering letters lies a thriving ecosystem, home to bobcats, mountain lions, snakes, and even the occasional coyote. The area around Mount Lee, where the sign is located, is a haven for wildlife, offering a stark contrast to the urban sprawl below.

The juxtaposition of nature and human development is not lost on conservationists, who see the Hollywood Hills as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing urban wildlife. As Los Angeles expands, habitats are fragmented, forcing animals to adapt—or perish. Yet, the resilience of these creatures is remarkable. Red-tailed hawks soar above the sign, while mountain lions navigate the canyons in search of prey. The area’s biodiversity is a testament to the region’s ecological richness, even in the heart of a metropolis.

The Hollywood sign’s dual identity—as both a cultural landmark and a wildlife corridor—highlights the complex relationship between humans and nature. As climate change and urbanisation reshape the planet, the stories of these animals serve as a reminder that even in the most artificial of landscapes, life finds a way. For now, at least, the sign stands as a symbol of both human ambition and the enduring power of the natural world.