The essence of everyday people and their spirit woven into the veins of the Vjosa River is what Jutta Benzenberg Klosi conveys in her latest project, showcased in the Pyramid of Tirana.

Against the coldness of concrete walls, relaxed portraits emerge, seemingly unposed and natural. It feels as though the artist has merely borrowed their images, capturing them as they appear in the simple flow of everyday life.

The project, “The Spirit of the Vjosa,” supported by Patagonia, led Jutta to work for a month in the Vjosa National Park. This river, wild yet vibrant, is a “source of breath.”

“It’s rare for people to live and work in protected parks, and therefore, this park should be cherished not only for its natural beauty but also for its people,” says photographer Jutta Benzenberg. She recalls the names, even details of their personalities, which are subtly perceptible in the photographs. Jutta delights in the fact that this is also visible to our eyes as viewers newly introduced to them. A photograph of a young boy gently holding a cat epitomizes the sensitivity and connection between the people, animals, and nature of this region.

Jutta’s subjects are individuals who live by and with the Vjosa. Some enjoy the pure air, others the medicinal plants, and still others sustain themselves through tourism in these parts. Regardless of their livelihood, they see their lives as inseparably intertwined with the Vjosa.

Their stories, accompanying each photograph, are authentic; as Jutta Benzenberg puts it, only the photos are hers. She is thrilled to sense a certain mysticism in her work, something she doesn’t perceive in daily life. But, she adds, it is this mysticism that she admires about Albania, as it appears in every corner of this land.

“The Spirit of the Vjosa” will be on display in the Pyramid’s hall until November 12, with free entry for all who wish to experience a touch of the Vjosa’s essence.

/a.c/