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Honorable Mention BIFA 2022 People / Culture

Shinasl Mana, Lord of Birds (Qusbegi)

  • Photographer
    Apostolos Kaloudis
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention in People / Culture

For thousand of years, eagles became a valuable hunting companion across the northern steppes from Eurasia to China. It was fundamental for the acquisition of food and furs in the harsh, unforgiving winter months.“Our ancestors had three comrades,” goes the old Kazakh saying, “swift-foot, tazy, and bürkit” (fine horse, Taigan sighthound, and eagle). Here is Shinasl Mana, that keep together with his brother the tradition of his family alive for 8 generations now.

My name is Apostolos Kaloudis, and I'm an adventurer. I consider myself as an adventurer/explorer, rather than a photographer. When I was studying Medieval History, I was amazed by stories and details of military campaigns. Something that impassioned me later to go out and explore remote lands, such as the Silk Road, the vast Steppes & deserts of Central Asia & northern China or even former Himalayan Kingdoms.