Returned
This is from a village that is no more. Population was forced to move to another part of the country, following brutal events after the end of WW2. They were forbidden to return or visit for many decades.
The two graves in the foreground contrast with old style sandstone upright memorials predating the war. Newer graves have fresh fir twigs instead of flowers, and extinguished candles placed few days before. Dilapidated building in the background is a burial chapel, the last remaining structure in the abandoned place.
I had no concept in mind when I came across this place, it just stroke me when I was passing by, during my mountain trips. Initially I did not intend to take a photo of this place, wanting to preserve precious frame on a film roll for some more spectacular mountain scenery in better lighting condition. I was also very young and just starting to take interest in photography. Camera was adding weight to a bacpack filled with camping equipment and food supplies.
The photograph was taken with Zenith camera, slide film was ORWO brand, developed in a lab. Image was later digitized on Minolta Dimage scanner. I am aware of poor technical quality of the photograph and its composition. It has hovewer some emotional value to me, it reminds me of my solo treks through wild country from my young years. I now live in another country on the opposite side of globe, in some way my sentiment aligns with the desire of the departed to be returned to their ancestral land, where they spent their young years.