We are the best-prepared generation in the history of Southern Europe. Yet we were sold a future that does not exist here. We inherited the deindustrialization and touristification of our countries. European policies centered the economic activity of these southern countries around the tertiary sector, turning them into tourist resorts for the northern countries which have industry and a solid flourishing economy. These policies have brought with them a precipitous increase in job instability, a wealth gap and gentrification. This last phenomenon has caused families to lose their homes and made housing inaccessible to young people, the lost generation that is living between two enormous crises. Entire families are unemployed, many of them barely surviving thanks to their grandparents' low pensions. Others are stressed, trying to make ends meet and some are unable to. We have failed to achieve the promised welfare state. Instead, we witness and experience increasing misery every day.
Lost Generation
Series, Jury Honorable Mention
Omar in the ruined house
Today is Omar's 31st birthday. He heats up a sandwich, sitting smoking, next to the stove, of the dilapidated house where he lives in Lugo, Spain, Monday, June 23, 2021. Omar has humble origins, he comes from a working-class neighborhood of Lugo, Garabolos. He lives in a ruined house on the banks of the river Miño. He gets up and goes to bed very early so that he can go to beg in San Pedro in the morning. Due to his precarious situation and having been born into an unstructured family nucleus, he has come into conflict with the justice system. He has spent a few years in Bonxe jail, serving two sentences. He affirms that prison does not help people reintegrate into society and former prisoners are not given any opportunity to return to normal life. In prison he made "Chicha" that he sold for €20. He was formerly a heroin addict and still faces challenges with that drug.
Today is Omar's 31st birthday. He heats up a sandwich, sitting smoking, next to the stove, of the dilapidated house where he lives in Lugo, Spain, Monday, June 23, 2021. Omar has humble origins, he comes from a working-class neighborhood of Lugo, Garabolos. He lives in a ruined house on the banks of the river Miño. He gets up and goes to bed very early so that he can go to beg in San Pedro in the morning. Due to his precarious situation and having been born into an unstructured family nucleus, he has come into conflict with the justice system. He has spent a few years in Bonxe jail, serving two sentences. He affirms that prison does not help people reintegrate into society and former prisoners are not given any opportunity to return to normal life. In prison he made "Chicha" that he sold for €20. He was formerly a heroin addict and still faces challenges with that drug.
The beginning of the day
Javier picks up his mattress, which he slept on last night, to hide it in the bushes. Javier walks along several streets every day, dragging a mattress, in search of a corner to shelter from the rain and cold.
Javier picks up his mattress, which he slept on last night, to hide it in the bushes. Javier walks along several streets every day, dragging a mattress, in search of a corner to shelter from the rain and cold.
Money for food
Every day, next to the traffic light, Diego juggles to earn money for food for himself and his dog.
Every day, next to the traffic light, Diego juggles to earn money for food for himself and his dog.
Dumpster food
Joaquín, also known as "Portu" because it is his place of origin, has been living in an industrial warehouse in the Rábade industrial estate for a few weeks. The industrial warehouse where he currently lives once belonged to the imprisoned businessman Jorge Dorribo, now it belongs to the bank. Joaquín took advantage of the fact that the industrial warehouse was open, in this way he secured a roof over his head during the winter months. In Rábade, Lugo, Spain. June 8, 2021.
Joaquín, also known as "Portu" because it is his place of origin, has been living in an industrial warehouse in the Rábade industrial estate for a few weeks. The industrial warehouse where he currently lives once belonged to the imprisoned businessman Jorge Dorribo, now it belongs to the bank. Joaquín took advantage of the fact that the industrial warehouse was open, in this way he secured a roof over his head during the winter months. In Rábade, Lugo, Spain. June 8, 2021.
Making a fire to keep warm
Gabriel and Giselle have been living for a few days in a dilapidated house in the La Chanca neighborhood. Gabriel, 23, is from Brazil and Giselle, 20, from Lugo. Gabriel arrived in Spain at the age of 18 after a difficult past in his native Brazil, marked by insecurity and troubles. Now they say that they could live with Giselle's parents, but it would involve a lack of freedom and privacy. So they decided to live in the dilapidated house, without electricity and water. The structure of the house is not very stable and parts of it are crumbling. In Lugo. February 11, 2021.
Gabriel and Giselle have been living for a few days in a dilapidated house in the La Chanca neighborhood. Gabriel, 23, is from Brazil and Giselle, 20, from Lugo. Gabriel arrived in Spain at the age of 18 after a difficult past in his native Brazil, marked by insecurity and troubles. Now they say that they could live with Giselle's parents, but it would involve a lack of freedom and privacy. So they decided to live in the dilapidated house, without electricity and water. The structure of the house is not very stable and parts of it are crumbling. In Lugo. February 11, 2021.
God will help us
Hernán and Marcos have dinner before going to sleep. The meal consists of what they have found in the garbage container. As they reflect on the existence of God, Hernán raises his finger to heaven.
Hernán and Marcos have dinner before going to sleep. The meal consists of what they have found in the garbage container. As they reflect on the existence of God, Hernán raises his finger to heaven.
The family with no resources to live
Julito, Julia and Salva now live in this squat in the neighborhood of Montirón in Lugo, Spain. Julia and Salva have two sons, Julito and Salvador, both with significant health problems. Salvador has spent half his life in prison while Julia has cared for and raised their children. When I first met the couple, they lived in the shanty town of Carqueixo. Now they live in a squat. July 19, 2021.
Julito, Julia and Salva now live in this squat in the neighborhood of Montirón in Lugo, Spain. Julia and Salva have two sons, Julito and Salvador, both with significant health problems. Salvador has spent half his life in prison while Julia has cared for and raised their children. When I first met the couple, they lived in the shanty town of Carqueixo. Now they live in a squat. July 19, 2021.
Bus Station
Luis and Ramón look out the window of the bus station, a public place where they shelter from the cold streets of Lugo.
Luis and Ramón look out the window of the bus station, a public place where they shelter from the cold streets of Lugo.
Cooking fire
Diego warms his cold hands over burning alcohol inside a can of tuna. Many homeless people use tuna cans for cooking, they pour alcohol into them, and then put a rack over them, where they can stand a pot. After warming his hands, Diego cooked some lentils.
Diego warms his cold hands over burning alcohol inside a can of tuna. Many homeless people use tuna cans for cooking, they pour alcohol into them, and then put a rack over them, where they can stand a pot. After warming his hands, Diego cooked some lentils.
Take a shower
Omar takes a shower, mixing heated river water on the stove in Lugo, Spain. June 23, 2021. Omar Díaz Moreno is 31 years old and comes from humble origins, in a working-class neighborhood of Lugo, Garabolos. He lives in a ruined house on the banks of the river Miño. He gets up and goes to bed very early so that he can beg in San Pedro, in the morning. Due to his precarious situation and having been born into an unstructured family nucleus, he has come into conflict with the justice system. He has spent a few years in Bonxe jail, serving two sentences. He affirms that prison does not help inmates reintegrate into society and former prisoners are not given any opportunity to return to normal life. In prison he made "Chicha" that he sold for €20. He was formerly a heroin addict and still faces challenges with that drug.
Omar takes a shower, mixing heated river water on the stove in Lugo, Spain. June 23, 2021. Omar Díaz Moreno is 31 years old and comes from humble origins, in a working-class neighborhood of Lugo, Garabolos. He lives in a ruined house on the banks of the river Miño. He gets up and goes to bed very early so that he can beg in San Pedro, in the morning. Due to his precarious situation and having been born into an unstructured family nucleus, he has come into conflict with the justice system. He has spent a few years in Bonxe jail, serving two sentences. He affirms that prison does not help inmates reintegrate into society and former prisoners are not given any opportunity to return to normal life. In prison he made "Chicha" that he sold for €20. He was formerly a heroin addict and still faces challenges with that drug.
TV
Orlando is 67 years old, he is my neighbor. For 20 years, he has lived in a modest house on Calle San Roque. It has been a year since he went from surviving with Risga social benefit to living on a pension of around €400 per month. In winter, he is rarely seen because, he says, he is very depressed most of the time. He used to be a sailor. He is from Celeiro de Mariñaos. His partner, his daughter and his granddaughter still live on the coast. You hardly see them.
Orlando is 67 years old, he is my neighbor. For 20 years, he has lived in a modest house on Calle San Roque. It has been a year since he went from surviving with Risga social benefit to living on a pension of around €400 per month. In winter, he is rarely seen because, he says, he is very depressed most of the time. He used to be a sailor. He is from Celeiro de Mariñaos. His partner, his daughter and his granddaughter still live on the coast. You hardly see them.
Suicide
Suicide is one of the main causes of death in Spain. In 2018, according to statistics, 7.54 people per 100,000 committed suicide. Major risk factors include unemployment, depression and social pressure. The image was taken in a construction site that has remained as it is for years and where several people who do not have many resources live. I found this rope hanging from an upper storey.
Suicide is one of the main causes of death in Spain. In 2018, according to statistics, 7.54 people per 100,000 committed suicide. Major risk factors include unemployment, depression and social pressure. The image was taken in a construction site that has remained as it is for years and where several people who do not have many resources live. I found this rope hanging from an upper storey.