General News, 2nd Prize
Cross-Border Love
Roland Schmid
18 April, 2020
Two lovers have made themselves as comfortable as possible under the barrier tape at the border between the German town of Lörrach and the Swiss municipality of Riehen. When couples get too close, the patrolling border guards often turn a blind eye.
Switzerland closed its borders for the first time since the Second World War, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In towns like Riehen and Kreuzlingen, citizens had barely noticed the borders with Germany for decades, and had crossed freely. The closure lasted from 16 March to 15 June. Barrier tapes indicated boundaries that should not be crossed, retracing borders that had been reinforced with barbed wire during the war. In some places, these barriers became meeting places for people who were no longer allowed to be together. Despite regulations to restrict movement and socializing, many individuals found inventive ways to see their loved ones.
Roland Schmid
Roland Schmid (1966) is a freelance photographer represented by 13Photo in Zurich, Switzerland. He received a photographic education with Hugo Jaeggi and currently works for n...
Through our education programs, the World Press Photo Foundation encourages diverse accounts of the world that present stories with different perspectives.
Our exhibitions showcase stories that make people stop, feel, think and act to a worldwide audience.
Our annual contest recognizes and rewards the best in photojournalism and documentary photography.