Melbourne photographer captures Greek resilience during the country's 'lost decade'

Melbourne-based photographer David Krasnostein has combined his love for street photography and Greece in a visual story-telling project. His book explores the daily life on the Greek island of Lefkada during the challenging times of the last decade.

From Australian photographer David Krasnostein AM's book “A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade” Source: Supplied

Melbourne photographer David Krasnostein’s love affair with Greece started more than a decade ago.

The blue skies, the crystal clear water of the Aegean and the Ionian seas, the unique warmness of Greek hospitality, also known as philoxenia, captivated Mr Krasnostein's heart and mind.

From David Krasnostein's book, 'A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade'. Source: Supplied: David Krasnostein

But the past decade has seen him embarking on a different “route”, visiting Greece and witnessing people’s lived experience as they went through one of the worst economic and social crises in the country’s history. 

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 Highlights

• Melbourne photographer David Krasnostein documented the lives of people on the Greek island of Lefkada  
• The book 'A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade' explores the lives of the common Greeks during the economic crisis of the last decade
• He says he chose the challenging genre of street photography to present a different view of Greece

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He started documenting some of these stories through his lens as they unraveled in Lefkada, one of Greece’s many beautiful islands lying in the Ionian Sea.

From David Krasnostein's book, 'A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade'. Source: Supplied: David Krasnostein

"It is not just an economic and social crisis which was accelerated by many Greek governments’ austerity measures; it is a period of Great Depression, the same kind as the mankind experienced in the third decade of the 20th century,” Mr Krasnostein told SBS Greek. 

“If we compare the last decade’s Greek economic data with that of Germany after 1929, we will find many similarities.”

From David Krasnostein's book, 'A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade'. Source: Supplied: David Krasnostein

"It was a difficult time for the citizens of Greece."

All the photos in the book A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade are black and white. 

From David Krasnostein's book, 'A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade'. Source: Supplied: David Krasnostein

“I wanted to present a different view of Greece and its people," he says explaining why he chose the rather challenging genre of street photography.

From the photo album “A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade”. Source: Supplied

"It's a difficult technical process because you only have a moment to immerse yourself in what you want, a moment that will never be repeated; the movement of the hands, the clothes the people wear, the daylight.

"It may be a bad photo, but it is an authentic photo," Mr Krasnostein adds.

From David Krasnostein's book, 'A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade'. Source: Supplied: David Krasnostein

“Fashion designers, wine producers, tourism industry professionals are now returning to Greece and starting their own businesses and are doing pretty well. 

"They are ready to enter the international markets and to come face-to-face with harsh competition.”

From David Krasnostein's book, 'A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade'. Source: Supplied: David Krasnostein

Mr Krasnostein believes societal shifts are taking place in Greece, especially for young people. 

"As difficult as it is for many young people to leave their country looking for a brighter future in countries like Germany, Canada, the United States, and Australia, they have the opportunity to gain new experiences and to develop and enrich their professional skills."

From David Krasnostein's book, 'A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade'. Source: Supplied: David Krasnostein

From the photo album “A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade”. Source: Supplied

Australian photographer David Krasnostein AM with his book “A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade” Source: Supplied

*David Krasnostein’s photographic album titled "A Resilient Spirit - Greek Life During The Lost Decade" was published by the Hellenic Museum (Melbourne) and all the proceeds will help support several of the museum’s initiatives.

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