A Night of Fire

Once a year, on the first night of summer, Karlovac, Croatia, becomes a stage for a centuries-old tradition—midsummer bonfires on the banks of the Kupa River. Neighborhoods on opposing riverbanks build towering fires, competing to create the most impressive blaze. More than just a spectacle, this event is a rare moment when ordinary people—adults, children, and families—stand face to face with an element both mesmerizing and dangerous. The power of fire in its rawest form evokes a range of emotions: quiet contemplation, fascination, exhilaration, and playfulness. Despite the intense heat and blinding flames, people come remarkably close, drawn in by its primal energy. This black-and-white series explores the enduring fascination with fire, its hypnotic pull, and the surreal, almost ritualistic connection between people and the raw force of nature—both mesmerizing and untamed.