We arrived in Cuba in 2016, riding the wave of historic change that followed Barack Obama's visit and the Rolling Stones' electrifying performance. The air buzzed with possibility – you could feel it in the streets of Havana, in the animated conversations at local cafes, in the knowing smiles of elderly Cubans who had seen so much change already. Here, finally, was the promise of their island nation reconnecting with the West after decades of isolation. Though that promise would ultimately fade like old paint on a Havana facade, the moment captured a unique slice of Cuban history.
For a photographer, Cuba was pure intoxication. Every corner told a story: paint peeling from colonial mansions in colourful layers, vintage American cars gleaming despite their age, and everywhere, life spilling onto the streets in an explosion of color and movement. Yet translating this sensory feast into a cohesive visual narrative proved challenging. How could I capture both the spirit of the Cuban people and the bittersweet poetry of their surroundings?
The answer finally came to me in the form of a title: "Verhalen van verlangen en verval" – Stories of longing and decay. These words became my compass, helping me weave together images that spoke to both Cuba's undimmed dreams and its beautiful decline, each photograph a verse in this visual story.
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