Ethiopia competes for the Africa cup, the Netherlands for the World cup. The balls in the Netherlands are of good quality. In Ethiopia people sometimes have no more than a lump of clay with a piece of plastic or old cloth around it. But the fun is not less. Especially in remote areas life can be tough, and that is why we distribute balls with an air pump there to a club, a village elder and school director. The mere enthusiasm makes our flesh creep.
The Ballenzaak www.deballenzaak.nl has provided us with footballs for a fantastic price. Frans Snijders of All Brake Systems in the Dutch city of IJsselstein has paid that price for us, and added a number of caps and shirts as well.

It was very early, when we walked from our lodge in the Bale Mountains to the starting place for a trek. Although we knew it, we were impressed by our ‘expedition’: 18 horses for materials (tents, mattresses, blankets, cooking materials, etc.) and attendants, and three horses for our guide, my wife Geertje and myself. It made us think of 19th and 20th century travellers through this country. During five days we went through a magnificent, empty and stilled area between 2000 and 4000 meter high. During the nights we camped in a circle, with the horses inside it. We had to watch hyenas.

It has come: Ethiopia Footsteps in Dust and Gold. The monumental photobook that I made together with Jos van Beurden. It has lasted long: an exercise in patience. Publishing houses in the USA and Ethiopia were enthusiastic. They promised a lot but made us wait. The book was finally not published by them, but by Stichting Kunstboek of our southern neighbors in Belgium. The long wait has also yielded something: an even stronger connection with the country, between the makers, and with the book. Extra travels with new photographs and information. We have kept working, spending much attention to the composition and design. And then at once the moment has come! And the book now is lying here in front of me and elsewhere in my home boxes filled with this wonderful product. We proudly present: Ethiopia Footsteps in Dust and Gold. It has been made in slow-motion, harmony and love.
I am super-proud!