Yvon Léolein’s black-and-white Congo series examines everyday life and social conditions in Brazzaville. The statement below reflects the photographer’s observations at the time, not a current report on the city.

Congo by Yvon Léolein

15 years after a period of fratricidal wars in the history of Brazzaville, 15 years of peace, stability, Brazzaville could have hoped for better living conditions. A real social policy, youth work, a fair distribution of wealth …
I have read a city where it is normal to pay its water and electricity bills without the benefit of these services. I was in a city where its inhabitants have stopped fighting, preferring as some (the fire) take refuge in religion tissue to escape their daily misery.

I was in Congo, Brazzaville, a beautiful city that comes alive despite his ailments by friendly people looking at you, you, with your prejudices abroad and tells you smile in the eyes “Mbote! ”
Thus summarized the essence of this work. One might think that it’s just a travel diary made by the artist, but it is mainly a declaration on the degradation of the social fabric of a country, the energy crisis, environmental problems, immigration sub regional, standards of living of a city, a country and by extension Africa because we meet in this city a condensed scourges plaguing the continent.

People walking beside railway tracks lined with rubbish and small buildings.Save

Person stands beside a doorway in a narrow Brazzaville street.Save

A person stands by a wall and a sign outside a building.Save

Vehicles and roadside stalls along a city street.Save

Closed pharmacy storefront with signs above the entrance.Save

Handwritten notes on a wall, photographed in black and white.Save

Empty, damaged interior with an open doorway and scattered debris.Save

Person walking beside a painted wall and street signs.Save

Group of people gathered at an outdoor table at night.Save

Street-side wall marked with the word 'PATCH' above a football fixtures board, with a person at the doorway.Save

Person seated beside rubble outside a building.Save

Low building and doorway beside an open paved area.Save

Person pushing a cart across a road near an open-air cafe.Save

People standing among containers by a fence and bridge.Save

Person standing inside a damaged building with an open front.Save

People gathered outside a lit storefront at night.Save

People gathered and speaking in a busy night street scene.Save

Person stands beside a painted wall and a small cart.Save

Read the original MBOTE! project page

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