What I’m Reading
June 25, 2024
This week’s What I’m Reading highlights visual stories from my readings in the last two months that stayed with me. I’ll start with two Ukraine updates and finish with a cycling travel feature.
Two Ukraine updates
I return to the pages of The Guardian for today’s first recommendation.
The battle for Vovchansk in Ukraine — in pictures is a read that stuck with me because of the balance between the cruelty and suffering of war and the humanity, help, and determination I detected in the photographs.
The collection includes images from multiple sources, including photographers Evgeniy Maloletka, Narciso Contreras, and Kostiantyn Liberov.
Looking at the photographs made me think about the meaning of war. I saw the evacuation efforts and the destruction. I saw the danger those people face day in and day out.
But I also saw the people who are living in this war. The photographs convey their determination to help others and prevail.
I’ve said before that I limit my intake of heavy news and pick what I read with intent from sources I trust provide the world with stories that matter. Essays like this should be on everyone’s news menu — politicians and global decision-makers as much as people like you and me.
Another visual Ukraine story that stuck is zReportage’s Ukraine’s ‘Superhumans’ Rehab.
Photographer Adrien Vautier-Le Pictorium documents the quiet side of war — if you will.
It’s a story that often doesn’t break through the news barrier. It’s a look at a rehab facility for wounded soldiers.
There’s a text passage with further details. But the photography speaks for itself. I would attach three characteristics: emotional, impactful, and reported with dignity and care. It’s a story of war that deserves recognition.
Story of hope
For today’s final recommendation, I continue the outline from last time and close with a positive story.
This time, it’s a story about cycling in Africa.
Rouleur’s Cycling in Ethiopia — cycling’s best unknown destination? is about cycling, culture, and coffee. Writer Daniel Hughes takes on a wonderful topic that makes me dream. There’s more to news and life than problems. The writer demonstrates that through his writing and superb photography.
As real as the problems in Ethiopia are (countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany advise against travel or reconsidering one’s plans), pieces like this demonstrate that there’s more to discover.
We know so little about countries and cultures outside of our bubble. The little we hear is usually heavy and tragic. That’s why I enjoy seeing pieces like this.
Maybe the tourism that results from pieces like this helps not only with further stabilizing this part of the world but also with making cycling more accessible in Africa, be it everyday cycling or access to the sport.
Consider this: Ethiopia, with Uganda and Kenya, produces the runners that dominate distance running on the world stage. Yet there are hardly any cyclists outside Europe and North America at the sport’s top. I’m curious what those nations could do in a sport like cycling if access were easier.
Those are my recommendations for this week. I’ll share new photography later this week. Until then, enjoy your readings.
