"85" part 1 - Kinga Wrona

When it comes to question about how the volcanos work, practically everything is a mystery. Signals may appear before the eruption, but it is never certain it will occur. It is almost impossible to determine the time when the eruption starts or predict its intensity. Volcanoes symbolize the duality of destructive force and the new beginning. Spanish Canary Island ,la Palma, only exists because of volcanic eruption built this land long time ago, forming the archipelago known as the Canary Islands. In 2021, during 85 days the volcano Cumbre Vieja on La Palma has been active. The eruption was the longest in the history of the island and the most destructive of last century in Europe. The lava erupted uncontrollably, burning everything on its way to the sea. The volcano, which has been declared extinct, has irretrievably destroyed the possessions of many people's lives, changing their lives forever and demonstrating man's powerlessness against element.

Fascinated by this natural phenomenon and intrigued by the connection between the islanders and their environment, I visited La Palma twice in 2022, shortly after the eruption ended. I spent most of my time meeting locals and hearing their heartbreaking stories from the past months. Having this experience with me I spent rest of the time on lonely walks around the island photographing spontaneously what I found around me. During my trips, I experienced how extremely close and inseparable is relationship of human and nature and at the same time how fragile is the environment shaped and managed by man. What I found unique was the approach to life of the local habitants of the island and their great humility towards the volcano. "You know it is a great tragedy, but volcano was first here, gave us a land for a living, later we came, we have to remember it and respect it" (...) „Living here on a volcanic island is a love - hate relation” - I heard.