In the Somme

In the French department of the Somme between Albert Péronnes and Chaulnes, I followed a group of young people from this forgotten region “with prettily wilted poppies”* for a year. This work is part of a cycle of residencies on rural life in partnership with the French photography society, Diaphane. *album by Keep it Real, a hip hop group from Albert, “Albert says hello” : I live in Albert, a flowery town, devastated by the war An urban zone in the country National Front supporters are the sentry There is something here for everyone…

Cemetery in Suzanne, Somme region.

Young lovers near the Somme canal, the poppy region.

Two teenagers in front of McDonald's in Albert, the poppy region.

Buying tickets for a football match at Lens supporters' club, the poppy region.

The grumblers, a women's football team, in a local tournament in Englebelmer for the sheep festival, poppy region.

Tuning in Chaulnes.

War cemetery in Suzanne, poppy region.

Keep it Real, a local hip hop group from Albert, poppy region.

Vertical-lift bridge over a canal, Somme, poppy region.

Teenagers bathing in the Somme canal, in the poppy region.

Celebrating the liberation in Bray-sur-Somme, poppy region.

Celebrating the liberation in Bray-sur-Somme, poppy region.

Celebrating the liberation in Bray-sur-Somme, poppy region.

Skeet shooting game, poppy region.

Two teenagers on a scooter in Capy, Somme.

Skeet shooting game, poppy region.

A young man and an adult on guard duty at commemorations for the end of World War One in Thiepval, Somme.

Teenagers bathing in the Somme canal, in the poppy region.

Suzanne cemetery in autumn.

The hip hop group Keep it Real rehearsing, Albert, Somme.

Young fairground worker at the fair in St Michel de Péronne, Somme.

Two young women and a man at a trail bike circuit in Maricourt, France. Young fairground worker at the fait in St Michel de Péronne, Somme.

Teenager on a racing circuit in Arvilliers, Somme.

Teenagers at the local festival in Miraumont, Somme.

Suzanne cimentery in winter.

Cedric, a pigeon hunter near Mametz, Somme.

Hunting trophies at Cedric's house, La Boisselle, Somme.

Winter picnic in Authuille, Somme.

Two friends watching TV.

Franck and Jonathan at the Petits Loups milk farm, Mailly-Maillet, Somme.

Sabrina and her quad bike at the trail bike circuit in Maricourt, Somme.

Melissa and Mehdi meet at the between Fricourt and Albert, Somme.