To answer that question, one photographer, Valerio Vincenzo, set out on a photography journey to celebrate peaceful borders throughout Europe.
The photo series explores the radical changes that have occurred in the last decade following the signing of the Schengen Agreement in Europe in 1985.
When the Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985, it removed travel restrictions that were established between certain European and surrounding countries. The agreement essentially erased borders between countries participating in the agreement, symbolizing an incredible step towards peace and unity across Europe. Today, 26 countries belong to the agreement. Around the world there are so many borders that constrict and constrain movement and unity. Although originally meant to just be a point of agreement for dividing geographical areas, borders also result in the social and physical division of people, communities, and sometimes even families.
Today there are infamous borders throughout the world that breed hostility, like the one between the US and Mexico. But what if borders were erased or taken down? Would peace and unity emerge in their absence?
This idea of vanishing borders is especially powerful in Europe, a continent that has a history of warring with itself over borders.
The scenes explored in the photographic journey demonstrate what happens when people can travel, work and live where they want.
The project is named, Borderline, the Frontiers of Peace, and Vincenzo has been working on it for the past eight years now. Vincenzo passionately supports the freedom of movement that the agreement granted long ago and explained his dedication to the project by saying Schengen, “(is) probably the most important historical event in Europe since World War II.”
Each photo illustrates a specific location of a frontier between two countries and how it has been affected by the Schengen Agreement. In addition to the breathtaking landscape, each photo is powerful statement in favor of unity and peace.
Throughout his extensive journey, Vincenzo tried to capture the essence of these now-peaceful crossings. Ultimately, the images are supposed to break the stereotypes that are associated with borders.
While celebrating the beauty of peaceful places, Vincenzo poses an important question for you to think about: what's a border anyway?
Belgium | Netherlands
Germany | Austria
Poland | Lithuania
France | Germany
Germany | Poland
Germany | Netherlands | Belgium
Valerio Vincenzo reminds the world to ask the hard questions about what it means to be a human and how much weight should be given to distinctions that separate us.
Check out more of Valerio Vincenzo’s project here.