The Country Above The Clouds: Scenes Across Eritrea is a contemporary street photography series accompanied by a self-portrait and a portrait of my father, Joseph Woldu Tesfai, that encompasses Eritrean pride, strength, and resilience.

I’m Eritrean-Egyptian, and i’ve never felt either Eritrean or Egyptian enough my whole life. This photo series is a result of visiting Eritrea in the summer of 2024 with my cousins Rahwa and Sesen, in an attempt to find connection and belonging with my fatherland.

The title is inspired by Michela Wong’s book “I Didn’t Do It For You: How The World Betrayed a Small African Nation” and the feeling one gets when landing in Eritrea. At 7,600 ft the capital of Asmara lies at the same heady altitude as many of Europe’s ski stations. The sky often remains a crisp, cloudless blue, and the starts shine vividly against minimal light pollution. The sharp, alpine sunlight can be both beautiful and harsh, washing colors into stark contrasts and chapping the skin. The altitude, combined with thin air, lends an almost disorienting sensation, affecting both the body and temperament.

Eritrea is a beautiful country with a somber tinge, for it has been premised on tragedy. Colonized five times, conflict kept Asmara locked in time, creating in the process an accidental treasure of memory, architecture, and culture. This project portrays the love Eritreans have for their country, revealing a people who’s identity and passion persist despite being often overlooked in global history.