Series - FotoSlovo 2026 - Category « Documentary / Reportage »

I photographed my grandfather, named Jaap, who lived alone in his > 100-year-old house. Jaap had a full head of silvery-white hair, strong opinions, and large hands. Jaap's son – my father - planned to renovate the house, but his son unexpectedly died young. The rickety house remained untouched with Jaap grounded there in his own way. He collected and ate herbs for medicinal purposes, favouring them over the conventional medicines that he got from doctors. In our conversations, he reflected on old memories and the fragmented lives of relatives. As he aged, he became aware that his practices may be forgotten when he is no longer there. Jaap started teaching me his ways of picking plants to pass on his habits to a younger generation. He eventually died at the age of 87.