The Last Caravanserai

This series was made in a refugee support centre in Brussels, run by volunteers, a first point of arrival for people who had travelled for weeks or months from Afghanistan, Syria and several African countries. The centre provided basic help, clothing and shoes. I photographed the first days of arrival, and made portraits in a small studio set up inside the centre. The title is taken from Le Dernier Caravansérail, the play directed by Ariane Mnouchkine.

A wall with signs and notices indicating areas for clothes and shoes. There are labels for men, families, and a sign indicating the area is closed. The wall appears aged and slightly dirty, with handwritten and printed notices attached.
Portrait of a woman wearing a dark jacket and a beanie, standing against a dark background with serious expression.
Person sitting on the floor behind bars, surrounded by backpacks and personal belongings, in a dimly lit area.
An older man with glasses and gray hair is sitting at a wooden table, holding a large white sign with Arabic writing on it. The background is dark.
An elderly man wearing a white knit cap, glasses, a gray overcoat, and dark pants walks with a cane through a dimly lit area at night, carrying shopping bags.
A man sitting in a shoe store, tying his shoe, surrounded by shelves filled with shoes and clothing.
A young person with a tan coat and a patterned headscarf standing against a warm-colored background.
A young boy with dark hair and a dark jacket, with a dirty face, is standing between people at night. One person next to him has a jacket with a patch featuring an eagle. The boy's hand is raised near his face. The background shows blurry lights.
A collection of children's drawings and paintings on a wall, including colorful abstract art, flowers, a bird, hearts, a girl, and various shapes and symbols.