TITLE: The language of the river

The language of the river

Displaced by violence and illegal activities against nature and their own integrity, many indigenous people from the Putumayo-Colombia region began long and difficult journeys to the Amazon (south of the country) in search of new roots and connection with mother nature. In addition, they claim from the Colombian government the protection that has been denied them for decades. Drug trafficking, illegal mining, unstoppable deforestation and bloody war have caused some indigenous groups such as the Embera, Onga, Nasa and Uitoto, among others, to abandon their lands leaving behind their past, lives and dreams. But all their beauty still remains in their eyes, in the survival story that is written on their skin. This is the language of the river that is spoken in its memory of struggle, strength, pain and hope. The indigenous people of southern Colombia are under constant threat and their vulnerability is more evident due to climate change, which is becoming more aggressive every day.

AUTHOR: ANDRES FELIPE VALENZUELA PARRA (Colombia)

Social communicator - Journalist and specialist in photography, with 15-year experience in Media and Institutional Communication. Knowledge on News Writing for print and digital media. Use of technological tools with a journalistic vision. Creative, enterprising, and with great sensitivity for art, aesthetics, social and humanitarian issues. With experience in news photography, characters, profiles, photo story and documentaries. Development of institutional, journalistic and audiovisual content.

2007. 3rd place in the International Journalistic Photography Contest CNN Objetivo 07
2008. 3rd place in the National Photography Contest from SEMANA Magazine
“Colombia Expuesta”
2008. Winner of the International Photography Contest Avina OIJ ‘Realidades y
Utopías de la juventud iberoamericana’
2014. Finalist in the National Photography Contest 'Natura Canon Experience', Bogota,
CO
2015. Finalist in the National Photography, Videos and Design Contest, 'Vans Classic
Bogota', CO
2016. Finalist in the Photography Contest ‘AltoContraste – Dejusticia’, Bogota, CO
2016. Honorable Mention ‘Moscow International Photo Awards’ MIFA, Moscow, Russia
2017. Finalist in the ‘Retrato’ category from the 3rd International Photography Contest
‘Signo Editores’, Spain
2018. ‘Best Photography’ Winner in the Departmental Journalism Contest (Santander),
B/manga, CO
2019. Finalist in the ‘Best Photography' National Regional Journalism Contest from the
Semana – Argos, CO
2019. 'Health & Climate International Photo Contest Climate Tracker' Winner