Pozuzo

Pozuzo is a small town located in the central jungle of Pasco – Peru, where a colony was established in 1859 by Austro-German comunity. The origin of its history dates back to the government of Ramón Castilla who had the plan to populate the forest with European immigrants to exploit the resources of the region. Due to lack of budget and the change of government, the construction of the road for settlers never happened, causing one of the most dramatic European immigration in South America. Of the 300 settlers who left Prussia and Austria, only 160 arrived.

The isolation led them to retain their customs until 1976, which coincides with the construction of the only road that connects to the rest of the country. Even today, due to the region’s climate and geography, the comunity lives isolated during the rain season  from December to March.

The road allowed a connection to surrounding areas and started a migration for better opportunities.

The project shows the transition phase in which the people try to stay as a colony despite the constant migration of its people.

The photographic work was conducted between 2000 and 2003. In 2008 ​​one last attempt of travel was made as a second phase.