Satellite Voices

Dubai / العربية

Hermoince Macura

June 28, 2011

The Dubai-based photojournalist launches her debut book capturing the real heart of the multi-cultural region

• Text by Kate Hazell

“Faces of the Middle East" goes beyond the national and political boundaries to bring together the people of the region through photographs,” explains Australian Hermoince who is also currently one of the main anchors on Dubai One TV’s Emirates News. “I have been told [the city] is too utopian. However, my greatest desire is to see peace in the region. I hope this project helps to create dialogue and open people’s minds to understanding each other better.”

Hermoince first started the project with the hope of bridging the different cultures the multi-cultural society currently exudes. “The Middle East is far more than a monolithic culture. There’s a lot more to the region than what we normally see or hear. In fact, it is a richly diverse area that has played a big role in shaping the world and continues to do so,” she continues. “My photographs are neither a definitive story nor a political statement. Rather these are regular people and faces you would find on the streets in cities across the region, that tell a different story. My subjects are ordinary people who have ordinary dreams and aspirations. And I think it’s important to focus on the common human thread of humanity to understand the region despite the massive political, economic and cultural awakening.”