Asmara Tea

Marco Barbon travelled between 2006 and 2008 to Eritrea to make the pictures of his newly published book “Asmara Dream”. The book captures the timeless beauty of Asmara in Eritrea. The Author was born in Rome in 1972 and has a PHD in Asthetics of Photography from the Ecole Etudes en Science Sociales in Paris, France. He worked as a Photo Editor, Author and Film Director of a short film presented at the Italian Film Festival, Nice and at Cinema Le Latina, Paris.

Who is Marco Barbon?

I am an Italian photographer living and working in Paris. I was born in Rome but later moved to Paris the place of art, culture and inspiration.

What drives Marco Barbon?

The passion for travel, art and photography is what drives me. The places I visit and the things I see are my artwork. I try to capture them in a moment of time and space, revealing their beauty.

What is the subject of your work in Eritrea?

The subject of my book is the city of Asmara, more precisely that particular sensation of suspended time and subtle melancholy that struck me the first time I was there. The Italian flair and beauty of the city is something you can not forget after having visited Eritrea.

How did you find out about Eritrea?

Some friends who have visited the country some years ago told me about the beauty of Asmara and I was curious to visit it. So, I packed my things and got on the plane to see myself what they were talking about.

What do you think about Eritrea?

I think Eritrea is a very beautiful country. The tourism is potentially a great richness for the country, the people of Eritrea should continue to develop it because it has a great potential to help the country in the future.

What do you think of Eritreans?

Eritrean people are wonderful, I love them.

Which are your favourite photographs in “Asmara Dream”?

For me is basically impossible to say what are the « best photos » in the Book; it’s up to the reader to judge.

How many books of “Asmara Dream” have been printed?

We printed in total 1200 books. Out of this 600 books are in the Italian/English language and the remaining 600 are in the French / English language.

Will you visit Eritrea again? And what are your future projects?

I would like to visit Eritrea again – I hope in a near future. Now I have many friends there, I miss them very much. I am planning to continue my photographic work in other countries. I have few other book projects.

Do you have a message for our Eritrean readers?

I have no real message for them but a question for them: How do you see and dream the future of your motherland?