Every workshop I wonder: who will I have in front of me? Mystery, surprise that was my role I had to do several steps backwards from my normal practice as a photographer; nor was it my usual workshop practice to teach the technique. Your proposal gave me much freedom, free from technical issues; I could concentrate purely on the human; and also look at the roots of photography, collodion photography as medium used during first colonizing missions for me it was an important moment; start to have a critical eye, and make a statement I did not choose wetplate photography to make a statement, but as a language: slow, against trends, AI, speed, also taking back the historical part Your project is changing the way I take photographs now, with clients. This stuff is still there with me; it built a different base.

question: how did project change your view on 19thC photography? The beginnings of collodion photography in 19th Century: big step forward material was heavy: I also work with a bike and a trailer and it is about 60-70 kg. In our project, I could take even more distance and give back this technique. It was used to steal images, without consent _ to grab. The photographer was not looking for beauty or a connection. I started this technique in 2012; connection to the person: close, next to camera, experience; it is already 'giving back' to the person. Directness, truth of collodion photography. Thus the 'giving back' was already part of my approach; giving back to the technique what was taken away, then you arrive and this 'giving back' has even a bigger meaning: which was: I give back the vision. I am not even a photographer anymore. I had the privilege to learn this technique. Now I share the camera; their choices for frame, costumes, nudity, …

Question: But it is your atmosphere and encouragement. Artistic and life choice. Anticipation: preparing chemistry, care, also when people going away intense day, many things happening, emotions, singing, crying presence before and after Something about the way the groups were formed was special; very engaging – I was chosen also playful conversations around the microphone... big topics, serious, and one minute later we are laughing Did you expect this, Antje? I had hopes for this; history of the idea; sharing the experience, healing; spending the day together, away from the frontlines. I am not dissapointed at all. Silvano: It created connections between people; and playfulness. Discovered each other, not feeling alone..

Unexpected strong moments, good ideas; central guests explaining to each of the guests why they were chosen. Strong human encounter because we had time. One group was singing, giving extra energy to the pictures; some emotions or discussions stay, some people are, as you said, are really close to burnout; some were talking about the stigmas of working on the topics of nightlife and drugs. We coul continue; now often when I meet people, I fel like inviting them for such a day.

Juan Moreno Benjumea, born in Seville in 1991, lives in Anderlecht, has Spanish roots and works as a civil servant. He came to Belgium to study law in Leuven and then moved to Brussels.

He loves the diversity, dynamism and social role of Brussels as a capital city, but regrets the inequality and poverty. He finds the Spanish presence and migration history of Brussels residents in general interesting.

His questions for the future concern migration as an opportunity, inequality and public space.

Oleksandra Kolomiets, born in Kyiv in 2018, lives in Brussels City, has Ukrainian roots and is a primary school pupil. She is seven years old at the time of this interview. She fled to Belgium with her mother; her father and grandparents are still in Ukraine. She loves the animals in the Museum of Natural Sciences. She takes the underground to school. She celebrates her birthday and Easter and misses the snow in Ukraine.

Adam Bouali was born in Jette in 2008, lives in Uccle, has Moroccan roots, is a secondary school student and works part-time. He considers religion important and is curious about other religions in his city.

Brussels is his life: school, football, friends, atmosphere, activities and joy, but also insecurity, crime, noise, drugs and litter in public spaces.

His questions about the future concern litter, shootings and alcoholism on the streets.

Valeria Sylka, born in Ukraine in 1974, lives in Auderghem, has Ukrainian roots and came to Belgium because of the war. She was an economist in her country and now looks after her granddaughter and does voluntary work.

She loves Art Nouveau, café and jazz culture, the mix of people and tolerance, and multilingualism. On the other hand, she regrets the lack of safety, the waste problem and the difficulty of finding childcare. She celebrates Orthodox holidays, especially Easter.

Her questions for the future concern safety, climate and education.

Céline Robin, born in 1991 in Soignies, lives in Uccle, has Belgian and Italian roots and works as a communications officer at Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 and previously at Les Petits Riens.

She loves the liveliness, the enormous variety and the international diversity of Brussels. She also finds Brussels expensive in terms of housing and thinks there are too many cars and traffic jams. She loves Bozar and Delirium Village.

Her questions for the future concern consumption, poverty and inequality, and the city's outlook.

Sophia Milusheva, born in Bulgaria in 1996, grew up between Sofia and Vienna, lives in Brussels City, moved to Brussels in 2021 and works as a policy manager and DJ.

For her, Brussels is a “compact mess”. She loves many places, Pride, clubs and Brussels as a party machine. But also the place where European careers take root. She regrets the feeling of insecurity, poverty and homelessness and the rubbish on the streets.

Her questions for the future concern culture and nightlife, security and the war on drugs, and the political representation of women.