According to the UNHCR, 800,000 refugees and migrants arrived
in Greece by sea in 2015. They are mainly Syrians, Afghans and
Iraqis fleeing civil war, oppression of the Islamic State, in search of
better life opportunities in Europe.
In 2015 on the island of Lesbos about 450,000 people arrived,
including men, women and children. They risk their lives, paying
thousands of Euros to smugglers to cross the sea on overcrowded
boats, landing on the shores of the Greek islands.
Despite the advent of winter in Europe, thousands of refugees and
migrants continue to arrive on the coast of the island of Lesbos.
The intensification of control in the Aegean Sea by the Turkish and
Greek coast guard, pushes traffickers to start the overflowing
dinghies at night, to avoid being intercepted. According to UNHCR
in February 2016, there were about 30,000 arrivals on the island
of Lesbos, which is the beginning of a long journey through
Greece and the Balkans to Germany or Sweden, where the majority
of refugees and migrants intends to seek asylum.
Vincenzo Montefinese is a freelance photographer, born in Taranto (Italy).
After studying at the Faculty of Physical Education, he graduated in 2015 with a master’s degree in photojournalism from ISFCI (Advanced Photography and Integrated Communication Institute) in Rome. His works and his pictures have been published on The British Journal of Photography, Internazionale, CNN, Roads & Kingdoms, La Stampa, Monocle Magazine and various other publications. His documentary work focuses on social, humanitarian and geopolitical issues.
Awards Vincenzo Montefinese is a freelance photographer, born in Taranto (Italy).
After studying at the Faculty of Physical Education, he graduated in 2015 with a master’s degree in photojournalism from ISFCI (Advanced Photography and Integrated Communication Institute) in Rome. He has received several international prizes awarded by The British Journal of Photography, Moscow International Foto Awards, PX3, amongst others listed below.
