Rising from the ashes

Moved by the tragedy of the wildfires that ravaged his country, including his home town, in 2007, the ambassador decided to undertake a major photographic series which would go beyond photojournalism. Every week for a year he made the long trip from Athens and his day job as a diplomat to document the devastated land as it slowly began to resurrect itself.

                “The result is an extended diary of nature’s struggle for regeneration both manmade and natural, from the tragedy of destruction to the glory of new growth and life, but also portraying the fragility of regeneration,” Boutos says.

                On display is a collection of 80 photographs. An auction to raise funds for the GreenWorld Foundation will be held on Thursday at 6.30pm. Green World Foundation’s chairperson Saranarat Kanjanavanit will attend the opening day to speak about the value of nature in the fight against climate change.

                A professional diplomat since 1986, Boutos has been an avid photographer for more than 30 years. A self-taught teenager, he perfected his knowledge by following seminars led by Platon Rivellis in the history and aesthetics of photography at the Photography Circle of Athens in 1985. In 2003, while on sabbatical leave, he attended a selection of courses at the School of Visual Arts, and the International Centre of Photography in New York.

                He has exhibited his work in Italy, Greece, and the United States and has also published three monographs, including “A Monitor in Croatia” (1993), a photographic diary from a two-month assignment in Croatia to monitor the cease-fire agreement between Serbia and Croatia as part of a team of European Community diplomatic and military personnel. He followed up with “Venice - Carnival Unmasked” (1998) and Reversible (2005).

               In addition to the exhibition, Central Embassy has also prepared activities to raise awareness about the environment throughout the complex. On level 2, customers can enjoy browsing eco-friendly products at the “Central Love the Earth” Space. For every Bt1,500 spent in this zone, customers will receive a free Central Love the Earth Bag. Customers can shop for organic, healthy salad by GEB Organic Farm on the same floor, and when spending Bt1,000 on weekends, receive a plant to grow at home. The activity runs from Thursday to July 10 from 10am to 9pm.

                Meanwhile, on level 5, eco-friendly workshops will be held together along with live music performances four times a day from July 7 to 10. Take part in workshop and learn how to recycle such items as plastic bottles and snack boxes into plant pots. To join the workshop, simply make a donation and the proceeds will be donated to Central Group Loves the Earth Foundation. The workshops run from 10am to 9pm daily.