Project Statement
UBI BENE, IBI PATRIA
This old Latin saying is stating a truth, universally known, applicable in ancient and modern times alike: wherever you find a better life, that’s where your home is. Indeed, it is true, for so many humans who, for various reasons, left their home country to live a better, more secure, peaceful, decent lives elsewhere.
And while the saying above may be seen as somewhat lacking patriotism, it does not, because these two are different notions and they can live together in a person. The feeling of belonging to a certain country, culture, customs and so forth is not canceled by the fact that one moves abroad in order to get a better life, I believe.
At the end of April 2026, I had the opportunity to participate in the Spring Festival of the Sri-Lankan community in Romania, a welcomed chance to try and understand a bit about their life here, in their new country. Romania, when they arrived, probably was a country completely foreign in culture, history, climate, and of course, language and customs.
Their community is not the largest here, of course, but starts to be of some significance; the first Sri-Lankans arrived in Romania as hired labor in the last 7 or 8 years, as far as I know. From what I was able to learn from various employers and such, they are perceived as hard working, honest and reliable personnel.
So, along the last years, more and more Sri-Lankans were hired and got approved to work in Romania, and also elsewhere in the European Union. They spread the word in their small communities back home, and so they came too. Many of them skilled laborers, among them quite a few with university studies or similar. They speak with pride about their home, and I cannot but notice a glint in their eyes and something resembling of home sick and nostalgia. It is only natural, I know. And I have a strong feeling that this is making them more resilient here and more willing to make a new life.
Looking at them playing their favorite games, it’s like they forgot they’re not in Sri Lanka; they are completely immersed in the moment. Romanian words are set aside today, the holiday belongs to their heritage. For the best part of the day, they are transported in their town or village, playing with friends, reliving and enjoying the memories of a place they left, not without tears and cringe of heart. For a few hours, they never left, and it feels good.
With time, families were made, or families were reunited; children born here never visited the old country, and they speak Romanian. For the young’ uns, Sri Lanka is an exotic land, far away and foreign. They know it only from the stories their parents are telling when stories are told around the dinner table. They will visit later in their life, I guess, but for now they are at home. A home far away from home.
The Sri Lankans here adapted and overcame, and they are now a growing part of my city.
Welcome, I say.
All images shot with Nikon F3 on Ilford Delta 100 and Ilford HP5+ 400.
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