Hey you,
I was four when I heard bombs for the first time.
I didn’t know what war was. I just knew that we had to leave, not knowing if we’d ever come back.
That moment shaped how I see the world.
Maybe that’s why I’ve always liked to notice the small things — and find ways to keep them. That’s what photography became for me: a way to hold on to moments and make them last forever.
Hey, I’m Arbrona, 27 years old — and yes, I still get asked for ID when buying alcoholic drinks.😅 Welcome to my blog.
I was born in the beautiful city of Prizren, Kosovo. When I was 4, my family and I fled to Italy to escape the war. I grew up there, and in 2018, I decided to move to Switzerland.
I was born on January 1st, 1995 — and I can only imagine what kind of New Year’s Eve that was for my mom. 👀 I’ve never been good at waiting (even before I was born), and I couldn’t wait to see what life had in store for me.
This was my last birthday in Kosovo. I was only four years old, but I still vividly remember that time.
During the years 1998-99, my beloved Kosova was subjected to Serb atrocities such as forced displacement from houses, burning down buildings of homes, schools, religious sites, and health-care institutions, summary executions, rape, and identity cleansing, among many other things.
under the sky and a nylon.
I recall being terrified to sleep because of bombings.
We were fortunate in that the area where we lived was less exposed to Serbian attacks… However, bangs might be heard from a long distance.
Then, that day.
8 April 1999.
Me: “Mom, I’m tired. Where’s my grandpa?
How far do we have to walk?”
Mom: “Just a lil bit, darling. We’re almost there!
Grandpa is waiting for us.”
My backpack was heavy. Inside, there was milk and snacks.
My mother had to carry my 6-month-old brother (we didn’t even have a buggy for him at the time).
That “little amount” became into eight hours.
Our greatest fear was being discovered.
So many families and children were in tears… Their terrified expressions…
My dad was in Italy already.
In Tirana, Albania, my grandparents (mom’s parents) were waiting for us.
Mom, my brother, my uncle and his family (4 children), and I made up a group of ten.
First and foremost, we had to cross the Albanian border.
Buses were already waiting for us.
When we eventually arrived at the Albanian border, we took a bus to Fier, where we were taken to a refugee camp (Albania). It was a gymnasium.
People were lying on the floor. They were forced to sleep on the floor.
I was privileged, as I already mentioned.
My mother, younger brother, and I were only at the refugee center for two days.
(Most families were forced to stay there until the war ended in June.)
In Tirana, my grandparents were waiting for us. We were hosted by an Albanian family in their lovely white home… That is something I will never forget!
And they’ll be with me for the rest of my life!
6 weeks later we took a ferry boat to Italy.
Our family was finally reunited. Endlessly blessed.
I lived in Italy 20 years.
First in the beautiful city of Asolo (one of the most beautiful cities in the world!)
and then in another small city (I don’t even say the name ’cause nobody knows it).
Asolo, I believe, is the reason I fell in love with Italy!
It’s a beautiful place with wonderful people.
When we initially arrived in Italy, we were welcomed by a large number of people who were happy to help us.
I’ll never forget how they treated us: they made everything easy for us!
I chose to frame this part of my life because I think that it is exactly what
I chose to highlight this phase of my life because I believe it is what sparked my endless passion for photography.
Experiencing the war, moving to a new country without knowing if I’d ever see my family or friends again, growing up in the land of art and culture… This is what motivated me to want to capture moments, details, locations, and people in order to make them ‘last forever.’
Thank you for taking part in this first blog post. Look forward to seeing you in the next one!
P.S. Drop me a line below and tell me what you think.