The Forest



A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Natura 2000 area, Białowieża Forest is home to thousands of species, forming a complex and self-sustaining ecosystem in which each organism plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.

Human presence in and around the forest dates back to the 16th century, when small villages and farmlands began to emerge along its edges. Primarily used for hunting and wood production for both personal and economic purposes, the relationship between people and the forest remained closely intertwined over centuries. In recent years, however, this role has shifted dramatically, as the forest has become a major migration route into Europe and a site of geopolitical tension.

Through photography, moving images, archival material, and spatial sound, we create an immersive experience of Białowieża Forest today, where ecological complexity, historical layers, and contemporary pressures converge.









“In the European Union, most national borders are merely virtual. There are no manmade barriers within the EU, like walls or fences. And very often, the same habitat and the same species of fauna and flora can be found on both sides of the border.”  

- A. Aragão 2014