The Europeans is a portrait of modern Europe. Traveling from region to region and from theme to theme in this multi-year project, photographer Rob Hornstra and writer and filmmaker Arnold van Bruggen will create a 21st century time piece on the European Heartland. Hornstra and van Bruggen see Europe on the eve of drastic change. Populism and authoritarianism are on the rise, ghosts from the past seem to return.

The photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson published his book ‘Les Européens’ in 1955. He looked beyond nationalism or local customs in the individual countries. He sought evidence for a greater identity, a European parable shared by the people and the landscape. More than sixty years later, Hornstra and van Bruggen share this ambition. It’s time to come up with a new version of The Europeans.

“They have just started and it will probably take years, but the result will undoubtedly compete with the classic The Americans, in which Robert Frank painted a portrait of post-war America in 1958.”
—Het Parool, 2019

By adopting a region for €120 you will receive the hardcover edition including the same size print on your doormat. This 120 euro’s makes it possible for us to continue our project, but also to offer the regular edition for a low price to a local audience. If you pre-order before production date, your name will also be mentioned in the publication.

‘Chapter 2: The Black Country’ is produced in collaboration with Multistory and Creative Black Country.

Expected launch of the publication is in Fall 2020. Postponed due to Covid-19.