After two weeks in Ushuaia, the most Southern city of the world on Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, I am leaving the city today with a backpack full of undeveloped film rolls. I look forward to spending a few days in Buenos Aires without having to wear warm socks, after which I will return to the freezing German winter.
© Jörg Brüggemann/OSTKREUZ
In 1975 Bruce Chatwin wrote in his classic travel novel "In Patagonia" that Ushuaia is a childless city with residents whose faces have turned blue from the cold and who cast unfriendly glances at strangers. Today the blue faces are still there, as the climate on Tierra del Fuego has not become more pleasant in the last thirty years. Ushuaia is, however, neither childless nor are its residents unfriendly anymore. Shortlyy after Chatwin’s visit a free trade zone was established which led to fast urban development. Whereas in 1975 there were 7000 people living in Ushuaia, today it hosts nearly 60 000 inhabitants. Most of them are young families which arrived from the north of Argentina looking for work and with them thousands of children who now crowd Ushuaia’s streets and parks.
The young people shape the face of the city and they are also the reason why I came here to take pictures. I wanted to know what it was like being young while living at the end of the world.
© Jörg Brüggemann/OSTKREUZ
Rarely have I ever been welcomed so openly and friendly like here in Ushuaia and it was interesting to witness that globalization has also reached the end of the world. Like everywhere else, young people in Ushuaia spend a lot of time in front of their computers, hang out with friends at skate parks or play in rock bands. I do not know what Bruce Chatwin would have thought about this development but I have certainly felt a little bit at home.
Nevertheless it is time to say goodbye, as my plane is arriving. Hasta La Proxima, Ushuaia.
