At the beginning of the Syrian Revolution, in 2011, Mohamad Al Masalmeh was only 17 yrs old.

While many young men decided to take up a rifle, he slung a camera around his neck and started accompanying his cousin who was an activist in the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad. In January 2013, Mohamad’s cousin was killed by a sniper while working as a reporter in Syria. It was then that Mohamad decided to leave his family, to try to reach Europe. His desire to become a photographer caused me to approach him and it was then that I decided to tell his story. He has with him images of his tormented nation and the horror he saw impressed in his eyes, yet still full of hope. After one year in the Harmanli refugee camp, in Bulgaria, Mohamad travelled on his own paying a human smuggler that showed him the route to cross borders. Then he took a train and finally joined his cousin Hany in Warstein.

Syrian children light a fire to warm up at the former military base where a refugee camp was set up to cope with the humanitarian emergency of asylum seekers fleeing the Syrian Civil War. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian children light a fire to warm up at the former military base where a refugee camp was set up to cope with the humanitarian emergency of asylum seekers fleeing the Syrian Civil War. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen with his friend Omran Alhariri, 26, who comes from the same town, Daraa. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen with his friend Omran Alhariri, 26, who comes from the same town, Daraa. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two youths hold a flag displaying an ancient Bulgarian symbol, well liked by young Nazis, during a protest against the presence of refugees in Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two youths hold a flag displaying an ancient Bulgarian symbol, well liked by young Nazis, during a protest against the presence of refugees in Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Hany Al Masalmeh training in a makeshift gym inside a refugee camp, while his cousin Mohamad and another guy are ready to help him. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Hany Al Masalmeh training in a makeshift gym inside a refugee camp, while his cousin Mohamad and another guy are ready to help him. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A football match on a makeshift field in the refugee camp where about 1,500 asylum-seekers are hosted. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A football match on a makeshift field in the refugee camp where about 1,500 asylum-seekers are hosted. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some Syrian refugees waiting to release their fingerprints and be identified by Bulgarian authorities. Most of them have been waiting for the procedure to be completed for two months, which is essential to be able to leave the refugee camp and find asylum in other European countries. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some Syrian refugees waiting to release their fingerprints and be identified by Bulgarian authorities. Most of them have been waiting for the procedure to be completed for two months, which is essential to be able to leave the refugee camp and find asylum in other European countries. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A barber in a former Bulgarian military base turned into a refugee camp. Not being allowed to leave the camp, asylum seekers feel like they are in prison and try to organise themselves around their daily needs. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A barber in a former Bulgarian military base turned into a refugee camp. Not being allowed to leave the camp, asylum seekers feel like they are in prison and try to organise themselves around their daily needs. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the containers supplied with funds allocated by the European Union. According to one of the latest UNHCR reports more than five million Syrians have fled the war since it began in 2011. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the containers supplied with funds allocated by the European Union. According to one of the latest UNHCR reports more than five million Syrians have fled the war since it began in 2011. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Syrian family outside one of the containers in a former Bulgarian military base, turned into a refugee camp to meet the humanitarian emergency of asylum seekers fleeing the Syrian Civil War. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Syrian family outside one of the containers in a former Bulgarian military base, turned into a refugee camp to meet the humanitarian emergency of asylum seekers fleeing the Syrian Civil War. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Text written by 21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, in which he explains what he decided to bring with him before fleeing his country. "I brought with me the most important thing in my life, it's a necklace my mother gave to me before I left while telling me: «God have mercy on you»". Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Text written by 21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, in which he explains what he decided to bring with him before fleeing his country. “I brought with me the most important thing in my life, it’s a necklace my mother gave to me before I left while telling me: «God have mercy on you»”. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, who fled from Daraa, is seen inside the refugee camp where he lived for one year. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, who fled from Daraa, is seen inside the refugee camp where he lived for one year. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A football match on a makeshift field in the refugee camp where about 1,500 asylum-seekers are hosted. Most of them are Syrian Kurds, who irregularly entered Bulgaria across the border with Turkey. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A football match on a makeshift field in the refugee camp where about 1,500 asylum-seekers are hosted. Most of them are Syrian Kurds, who irregularly entered Bulgaria across the border with Turkey. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some children look through the window of a container while a Syrian family sings traditional Kurdish songs in the refugee camp of Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some children look through the window of a container while a Syrian family sings traditional Kurdish songs in the refugee camp of Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
Rasheed, a former tour guide in Damascus who fled the Syrian Civil War, shows his room-mates the picture of a girl killed by Assad's army. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
Rasheed, a former tour guide in Damascus who fled the Syrian Civil War, shows his room-mates the picture of a girl killed by Assad’s army. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Syrian girl goes into a public bathroom at the former military base where a refugee camp was set up to cope with the humanitarian emergency of asylum seekers fleeing the Syrian Civil War. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Syrian girl goes into a public bathroom at the former military base where a refugee camp was set up to cope with the humanitarian emergency of asylum seekers fleeing the Syrian Civil War. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2013. © Matteo Bastianelli
26-year-old Syrian refugee Omran Alhariri, who fled from Daraa, is seen inside a refugee camp where he lived for one year. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
26-year-old Syrian refugee Omran Alhariri, who fled from Daraa, is seen inside a refugee camp where he lived for one year. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
20-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, from Daraa, Syria, walking outside the refugee camp where he lived for one year. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
20-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, from Daraa, Syria, walking outside the refugee camp where he lived for one year. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
20-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is trying to phone his family in Syria, while his friend Omran Alhariri, 26 years old, is drinking coffee in the refugee camp where they lived for one year. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
20-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is trying to phone his family in Syria, while his friend Omran Alhariri, 26 years old, is drinking coffee in the refugee camp where they lived for one year. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A girl lies on the ground in her mother’s arms after she was hit by a policeman during clashes between the police force and refugees. The asylum seekers organized a protest after an official visit of the former European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mrs. Anna Cecilia Malmstrom, when she explained that with their Bulgarian documents they would not be able to leave Bulgaria, according to the Dublin Regulation. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A girl lies on the ground in her mother’s arms after she was hit by a policeman during clashes between the police force and refugees. The asylum seekers organized a protest after an official visit of the former European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mrs. Anna Cecilia Malmstrom, when she explained that with their Bulgarian documents they would not be able to leave Bulgaria, according to the Dublin Regulation. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen taking pictures inside the refugee camp where he lived for more then a year. His cousin used to work as freelance for AlJazeera, but was killed by a sniper in Syria, Mohamad hopes to start a career as reporter like him. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen taking pictures inside the refugee camp where he lived for more then a year. His cousin used to work as freelance for AlJazeera, but was killed by a sniper in Syria, Mohamad hopes to start a career as reporter like him. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli

Many scream for “Europe Europe!”, but the European dream has vanished for most of them.

And the daily nightmare they find themselves trapped in has become a fact of life. The horror of war is not the only open wound. The journey itself, in order to reach Europe, leaves permanent scars in the memories of asylum seekers. Before to succeed, Mohamad and some of his friends escaped and tried to travel illegally through Greece and Macedonia, but they were arrested and pushed back in Bulgaria. I wasn’t with Mohamad that time, but I decided to follow in his footsteps to see what he might have experienced there.

Four men approaches a rubber dinghy full of Syrians refugees in order to take away its outboard motor and fuel tanks. About 600 asylum seekers reach the island shore everyday, each one of them paying 1 thousand dollars in order to cross the Aegean Sea and reach the Greek coast. Kratigos, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Four men approaches a rubber dinghy full of Syrians refugees in order to take away its outboard motor and fuel tanks. About 600 asylum seekers reach the island shore everyday, each one of them paying 1 thousand dollars in order to cross the Aegean Sea and reach the Greek coast. Kratigos, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two Afghan refugees are playing amongst the debris of an old building on the shore of Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two Afghan refugees are playing amongst the debris of an old building on the shore of Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some Syrian asylum seekers are washing their clothes in a fountain while others are waiting to collect drinking water or have a wash. There is no food, water or bathrooms in the makeshift refugee camp where they are hosted. Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some Syrian asylum seekers are washing their clothes in a fountain while others are waiting to collect drinking water or have a wash. There is no food, water or bathrooms in the makeshift refugee camp where they are hosted. Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some Syrian asylum seekers at the former military base of Moria, turned into a makeshift refugee camp. Hundreds of migrants go there every day waiting for identification documents to resume their journey towards Athens and Thessaloniki. Moria, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some Syrian asylum seekers at the former military base of Moria, turned into a makeshift refugee camp. Hundreds of migrants go there every day waiting for identification documents to resume their journey towards Athens and Thessaloniki. Moria, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two Pakistani refugees are seen outside a shop in the city center of Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two Pakistani refugees are seen outside a shop in the city center of Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two asylum seekers look through a shade cloth at the former military base of Moria, turned into a makeshift refugee camp where hundreds of asylum seekers are hosted without access to the basic needs of life, including food, drinking water, bathroom or shelter. Moria, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two asylum seekers look through a shade cloth at the former military base of Moria, turned into a makeshift refugee camp where hundreds of asylum seekers are hosted without access to the basic needs of life, including food, drinking water, bathroom or shelter. Moria, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some asylum seekers are seen buying food and drink from a food truck at the makeshift refugee camp of Moria. The Greek government doesn’t provide basic essentials to asylum seekers who are forced to pay higher prices for goods. Moria, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some asylum seekers are seen buying food and drink from a food truck at the makeshift refugee camp of Moria. The Greek government doesn’t provide basic essentials to asylum seekers who are forced to pay higher prices for goods. Moria, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of Syrian refugees just arrived from the coastal town of Dikili, Turkey, gather around a fire on the shore to warm themselves before sunrise. Each one of them have had to pay 1 thousand dollars in order to cross the Aegean Sea and reach the Greek coast. Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of Syrian refugees just arrived from the coastal town of Dikili, Turkey, gather around a fire on the shore to warm themselves before sunrise. Each one of them have had to pay 1 thousand dollars in order to cross the Aegean Sea and reach the Greek coast. Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some Afghan girls are seen picking fruit before setting off on their journey. Thessaloniki, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some Afghan girls are seen picking fruit before setting off on their journey. Thessaloniki, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view from inside of Hotel Astro, used by migrants as a staging point before resuming their journey to the border town of Evzoni, near the Republic of North Macedonia. Polykastro, Kilkis, Grecia 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view from inside of Hotel Astro, used by migrants as a staging point before resuming their journey to the border town of Evzoni, near the Republic of North Macedonia. Polykastro, Kilkis, Grecia 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
27-year-old Iraqi refugee, Mohammed Kelani. He was attacked in the Macedonian woods. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
27-year-old Iraqi refugee, Mohammed Kelani. He was attacked in the Macedonian woods. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
An Afghan man sleeping at the side of the road near the “Macedonia” bus station. Thessaloniki, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
An Afghan man sleeping at the side of the road near the “Macedonia” bus station. Thessaloniki, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Three Syrian youths taking a break on their way to the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Three Syrian youths taking a break on their way to the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A column of Syrian asylum seekers on the way through cultivated fields about a kilometer from the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A column of Syrian asylum seekers on the way through cultivated fields about a kilometer from the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some refugees are seen behind a train heading to Gevgeljia. Many of them have died on this route after being hit by trains. Idomeni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some refugees are seen behind a train heading to Gevgeljia. Many of them have died on this route after being hit by trains. Idomeni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of Syrian asylum seekers arrived in Idomeni carrying one of their friends on their shoulders. He had been shot in the leg in Syria. Idomeni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of Syrian asylum seekers arrived in Idomeni carrying one of their friends on their shoulders. He had been shot in the leg in Syria. Idomeni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some asylum seekers looking at a dog just hit by a train. Many people have died in the same way, walking along the railway tracks to reach the Republic of North Macedonia. Idomeni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some asylum seekers looking at a dog just hit by a train. Many people have died in the same way, walking along the railway tracks to reach the Republic of North Macedonia. Idomeni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
28-year-old Syrian refugee Moayad El Nakim, is comforted by his Syrian friend Walid, 26. Both are in shock after they were attacked by about 120 Afghans, Iranians and Pakistanis near the border. According to them, the Macedonian police on site did nothing to intervene. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
28-year-old Syrian refugee Moayad El Nakim, is comforted by his Syrian friend Walid, 26. Both are in shock after they were attacked by about 120 Afghans, Iranians and Pakistanis near the border. According to them, the Macedonian police on site did nothing to intervene. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
An Eritrean asylum seeker with her son on a bicycle on their way to the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
An Eritrean asylum seeker with her son on a bicycle on their way to the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
28-year-old Syrian refugee Ahmad Rakie is seen leaving a sunflower patch after he was attacked by two smugglers on the road. They took his phone and 300 euro. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
28-year-old Syrian refugee Ahmad Rakie is seen leaving a sunflower patch after he was attacked by two smugglers on the road. They took his phone and 300 euro. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some refugees are seen waiting to be allowed by the border police of North Macedonia to enter the country. Idomeni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some refugees are seen waiting to be allowed by the border police of North Macedonia to enter the country. Idomeni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Police line up in front of a group of Syrian refugees. The asylum seekers organized a protest after an official visit of the former European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mrs. Anna Cecilia Malmstrom, when she explained that with their Bulgarian documents they would not be able to leave Bulgaria, according to the Dublin Regulation. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Police line up in front of a group of Syrian refugees. The asylum seekers organized a protest after an official visit of the former European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mrs. Anna Cecilia Malmstrom, when she explained that with their Bulgarian documents they would not be able to leave Bulgaria, according to the Dublin Regulation. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
20-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen under the Statue of Europe with his cousins Hany (23) and Mohamad (29) and his friend Omran (26). The statue of Europe, located at the entrance of the city, represents a woman holding the sign of Europe in her raised hand, while the left seems to notice the alt. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
20-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen under the Statue of Europe with his cousins Hany (23) and Mohamad (29) and his friend Omran (26). The statue of Europe, located at the entrance of the city, represents a woman holding the sign of Europe in her raised hand, while the left seems to notice the alt. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of refugees tries to cross the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia walking along the railway tracks while a border policeman orders them to go back to Greece. Republic of North Macedonia 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of refugees tries to cross the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia walking along the railway tracks while a border policeman orders them to go back to Greece. Republic of North Macedonia 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of Syrian asylum seekers walking through cultivated fields in order to reach the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia, after border police had driven them back to Greece. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of Syrian asylum seekers walking through cultivated fields in order to reach the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia, after border police had driven them back to Greece. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of Syrian asylum seekers watch the lights of one of the casinos in Gevgelija, Republic of North Macedonia 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A group of Syrian asylum seekers watch the lights of one of the casinos in Gevgelija, Republic of North Macedonia 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Syrian man is seen carrying his son on the shoulder while walking at night in the field, during their journey towards the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Syrian man is seen carrying his son on the shoulder while walking at night in the field, during their journey towards the border between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. Evzoni, Greece 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli

«It’s beautiful here, but it reminds me too much of that forest between Romania and Hungary. I swear -Mohamad claims- I can’t bear to think about it: it was a real nightmare».

A peaceful walk in the natural park of the Arnsberg forest, in North Rhine-Westphalia, brings his memories back to light. His family in Syria, the escape, two years of failed attempts to reach the heart of Europe. Appointments with smugglers, money thrown away. Well, he finally did it, Mohamad has been in Germany since 31 December 2014. After his arrival more than one million asylum seekers entered Germany during 2015. He waited for over a year before receiving a three-year residence permit with humanitarian protection. Mohamad and Hany are two Syrian cousins who met back up again in Germany. They started their trip together and together they are integrating themselves into German society: after living for a period in a refugee camp, they have now been allocated a small apartment and each receives an allowance of 400 euros per month, which they can use to provide for themselves. They have taken their admission tests and they have signed up for a German language course at a preeminent academy with the intention of pursuing their university education. However, it’s not easy for them to live in Germany and being branded “refugees”. «A girl asked me: “Do you have the moon in Syria?” -Mohamad claims, incredulously-. This is absurd, Syria is the cradle of civilization, people do not realize that, before the war started, we had everything. When I fled Syria I didn’t even know what the word “refugee” meant. Then I realized -Mohamad claims-. I realized that at some point, your life depends on a sheet of paper and it becomes the only goal you need to set in order to start your life over again».

Refugees inside a building at Harmanli refugee camp. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Refugees inside a building at Harmanli refugee camp. Harmanli, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen inside a bus after crossing the border between Bulgaria and Romania. Giurgiu, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen inside a bus after crossing the border between Bulgaria and Romania. Giurgiu, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh rests in a hotel room in Sofia before to continue his journey through Romania. Sofia, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh rests in a hotel room in Sofia before to continue his journey through Romania. Sofia, Bulgaria 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Snow-covered cars in the center. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Snow-covered cars in the center. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh enjoy a winter snowfall before to continue is journey and try to reach illegally Germany. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh enjoy a winter snowfall before to continue is journey and try to reach illegally Germany. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A snow-covered park in the center. Temperatures reached minus 20 degrees. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A snow-covered park in the center. Temperatures reached minus 20 degrees. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen counting money he received from his sister, to pay a human smuggler and be able to cross illegally the border between Romania and Hungary. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh is seen counting money he received from his sister, to pay a human smuggler and be able to cross illegally the border between Romania and Hungary. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, walking while waiting for a human smuggler who will show him the illegal road to reach Hungary. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, walking while waiting for a human smuggler who will show him the illegal road to reach Hungary. Bucharest, Romania 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park, covering an area of 482 square kilometres including one of the most beautiful recreational areas of North Rhine-Westphalia. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park, covering an area of 482 square kilometres including one of the most beautiful recreational areas of North Rhine-Westphalia. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh walks along a path in the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park. “It’s beautiful here, but it reminds me too much of the forest between Romania and Hungary, a real nightmare”, Mohamad claims. In fact, a year earlier, he had to pay a smuggler and walk through the snow for hours before he could catch a train to reach Germany. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh walks along a path in the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park. “It’s beautiful here, but it reminds me too much of the forest between Romania and Hungary, a real nightmare”, Mohamad claims. In fact, a year earlier, he had to pay a smuggler and walk through the snow for hours before he could catch a train to reach Germany. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian asylum seeker Mohamad Al Masalmeh looks at the document he received from the German police, who took his Bulgarian passport. Warstein, Germany 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian asylum seeker Mohamad Al Masalmeh looks at the document he received from the German police, who took his Bulgarian passport. Warstein, Germany 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian asylum seeker Mohamad Al Masalmeh on the train from Dortmund to Soest. Dortmund, Germany 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
21-year-old Syrian asylum seeker Mohamad Al Masalmeh on the train from Dortmund to Soest. Dortmund, Germany 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Serbian asylum seeker runs away while playing with other friends inside a refugee camp. Warstein, Germany 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Serbian asylum seeker runs away while playing with other friends inside a refugee camp. Warstein, Germany 2015. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian asylum seekers Mohamad and Hani Al Masalmeh take a self-portrait of themselves in the room where they are living inside a facility for refugees. Warstein, Germany 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian asylum seekers Mohamad and Hani Al Masalmeh take a self-portrait of themselves in the room where they are living inside a facility for refugees. Warstein, Germany 2014. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view from Mohamad and Hani's house. They have now been allocated an apartment and each receives an allowance of 400 euros per month, which they can use to provide for themselves. Soest, Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view from Mohamad and Hani’s house. They have now been allocated an apartment and each receives an allowance of 400 euros per month, which they can use to provide for themselves. Soest, Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh stares at himself in the mirror, while his 24-year-old cousin Hani is having his haircut at a Syrian-Kurdish barber in the area and their friend, Hassan, enjoys the scene. Soest, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh stares at himself in the mirror, while his 24-year-old cousin Hani is having his haircut at a Syrian-Kurdish barber in the area and their friend, Hassan, enjoys the scene. Soest, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some asylum seekers in front of the Sichtigvor refugee camp set up in a former sports centre on 27 November 2015. The facility houses approximately 70 refugees and it’s one of the largest camps in the area. Sichtigvor, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some asylum seekers in front of the Sichtigvor refugee camp set up in a former sports centre on 27 November 2015. The facility houses approximately 70 refugees and it’s one of the largest camps in the area. Sichtigvor, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Kurdish kid skates in a former sports centre turned into a refugee camp while others of his own age walk along the corridor. Sichtigvor, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
A Kurdish kid skates in a former sports centre turned into a refugee camp while others of his own age walk along the corridor. Sichtigvor, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
The entrance door of a mosque where Mohamad and Hani went for Friday's pray. Soest, Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
The entrance door of a mosque where Mohamad and Hani went for Friday’s pray. Soest, Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh reads the Koran in the “Fatih Camii” mosque, while waiting for his 23-year-old cousin Mohamad to join him, as a man is praying in the middle of the room. Meschede, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh reads the Koran in the “Fatih Camii” mosque, while waiting for his 23-year-old cousin Mohamad to join him, as a man is praying in the middle of the room. Meschede, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh in the city centre with his 24-year-old cousin Hani. Cologne, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh in the city centre with his 24-year-old cousin Hani. Cologne, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Snow falling at night on a level crossing on the way from Soest to Warstein. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Snow falling at night on a level crossing on the way from Soest to Warstein. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh helps his 24-year-old cousin Hani move out from his apartment. Hani worked in a restaurant in the city centre for three months but he got fired after a two week absence from work on account of a foot infection, therefore he decided to move to Belecke with his cousin and went back to a German language school. Cologne, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh helps his 24-year-old cousin Hani move out from his apartment. Hani worked in a restaurant in the city centre for three months but he got fired after a two week absence from work on account of a foot infection, therefore he decided to move to Belecke with his cousin and went back to a German language school. Cologne, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli

Cultural adaptation to German life is a long process, a compromise between their habits and the preservation of their own identity.

They have made German friends to spend an evening with, going dancing to Rüthen or Cologne, as well as having their trusted Syrian-Kurdish barber in Soest. They play table tennis in the town’s team in Warstein and they go to the mosque in Meschede to pray. They sleep with their phones in their beds and, just like their European generation, they too are phone-addicted but all their thoughts are turned towards home, in Syria, whence bad news keeps on coming: Hany’s brother was killed in a bombing by the government forces of Bashar Al-Assad on 17 December 2015, and the very same fate awaited Mohamad’s brother, Alaa. He was killed during a battle in Daraa on 23 February 2017. It’s quite impossible to deal with loss being so far away from their families. Mohamad took his anger out on a door, Hany collapsed and he has been having nightmares every night since. They both found pictures of their brother’s corpses on social networks. «I’m here but, sometimes, it’s like I’m not -Hany says- I can’t explain and, what’s more, I couldn’t even go to his funeral». Mohamad and Hany stick together, trying to move on. Their future lies in Europe now; nevertheless, they write the name of their home city, Daraa, where the Syrian revolution started, in the snow. If the war were to end tomorrow, before that snow could melt, they would already be back home. Where they, too, have a moon waiting for them.

23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh asleep with his phone next to him while his cousin is getting ready to go out. They have been living together in a flat paid for by the German welfare state for over a year. Their families are still trapped in Syria. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh asleep with his phone next to him while his cousin is getting ready to go out. They have been living together in a flat paid for by the German welfare state for over a year. Their families are still trapped in Syria. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh congratulates his 23-year-old cousin Mohamad who is holding the written reply to his request for asylum. After waiting more than a year, Mohamad has discovered that he has been granted a 3 year residence permit with humanitarian protection. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh congratulates his 23-year-old cousin Mohamad who is holding the written reply to his request for asylum. After waiting more than a year, Mohamad has discovered that he has been granted a 3 year residence permit with humanitarian protection. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
The city centre of Belecke where Mohamad lives along with his cousin Hani Al Masalmeh. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
The city centre of Belecke where Mohamad lives along with his cousin Hani Al Masalmeh. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh waits for his cousin Hani outside the job centre in the town. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh waits for his cousin Hani outside the job centre in the town. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two ping-pong tables in a snow-covered town park. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Two ping-pong tables in a snow-covered town park. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh trains with his table tennis teammates at the sports centre in the city. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh trains with his table tennis teammates at the sports centre in the city. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh wearing a coat in a shopping mall, while his cousin Hani and their friend Hassan check the price tag. Lippstadt, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh wearing a coat in a shopping mall, while his cousin Hani and their friend Hassan check the price tag. Lippstadt, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the town of Sichtigvor, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the town of Sichtigvor, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh, fills in the questionnaire that he got from the job centre, with the help of a German teacher, while Mohamad entertains himself on his phone. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh, fills in the questionnaire that he got from the job centre, with the help of a German teacher, while Mohamad entertains himself on his phone. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Roses, more flowers and signs against gender-based violence left by a group of refugees on the steps of the Cathedral in Cologne. Cologne, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Roses, more flowers and signs against gender-based violence left by a group of refugees on the steps of the Cathedral in Cologne. Cologne, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian refugees Mohamad and Hani Al Masalmeh, both resident in Germany, buy spices at the supermarket. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian refugees Mohamad and Hani Al Masalmeh, both resident in Germany, buy spices at the supermarket. Warstein, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Mohamad dances with some of his German friends at a Carnival party. Rüthen, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Mohamad dances with some of his German friends at a Carnival party. Rüthen, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Ice crystals on a car window. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
Ice crystals on a car window. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh, rubs his head with an electric massager to release the tension. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh, rubs his head with an electric massager to release the tension. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian refugees Hani and Mohamad, both resident in Germany, have a snowball fight in a snow-covered field on the outskirts of town. Anröchte, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian refugees Hani and Mohamad, both resident in Germany, have a snowball fight in a snow-covered field on the outskirts of town. Anröchte, Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian refugees Mohamad and Hani Al Masalmeh, both resident in Germany, stand near some writing in the snow. Daraa is their hometown and the place where the Syrian revolution started in March 2011. They both hope to be able to go back home to Syria. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Syrian refugees Mohamad and Hani Al Masalmeh, both resident in Germany, stand near some writing in the snow. Daraa is their hometown and the place where the Syrian revolution started in March 2011. They both hope to be able to go back home to Syria. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some pictures hanging on Mohamad and Hani’s wardrobe. The photographs were taken during the conflict in Syria and after Mohamad escaped: his dream is to become a reporter. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some pictures hanging on Mohamad and Hani’s wardrobe. The photographs were taken during the conflict in Syria and after Mohamad escaped: his dream is to become a reporter. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
A dying plant near the window in Mohamad and Hani's apartment. Soest, Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
A dying plant near the window in Mohamad and Hani’s apartment. Soest, Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh looking at his phone during the night. Hani usually suffers from insomnia and bad dreams. A few months earlier he had found pictures of his brother’s corpse on a social network, after forces loyal to Bashar Al-Assad had bombed his home in Syria on 17 September 2015. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Hani Al Masalmeh looking at his phone during the night. Hani usually suffers from insomnia and bad dreams. A few months earlier he had found pictures of his brother’s corpse on a social network, after forces loyal to Bashar Al-Assad had bombed his home in Syria on 17 September 2015. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
A punch mark on the door of Hani and Mohamad’s bedroom. Upon hearing the news of the death of Hani’s brother, who was killed in a bombing by the government forces of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria, Mohamed took his anger out on the door and Hani was taken to the hospital after he collapsed. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
A punch mark on the door of Hani and Mohamad’s bedroom. Upon hearing the news of the death of Hani’s brother, who was killed in a bombing by the government forces of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria, Mohamed took his anger out on the door and Hani was taken to the hospital after he collapsed. Belecke (Warstein), Germany 2016. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, portrayed at home. On 23 February 2017 Mohamad has been informed that his brother, Alaa, was killed during a battle in Daraa. For Mohamad it’s quite impossible to deal with loss being so far away from his family. Soest, Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli
24-year-old Syrian refugee Mohamad Al Masalmeh, portrayed at home. On 23 February 2017 Mohamad has been informed that his brother, Alaa, was killed during a battle in Daraa. For Mohamad it’s quite impossible to deal with loss being so far away from his family. Soest, Germany 2017. © Matteo Bastianelli

SOULS OF SYRIANS (2013-ONGOING)