In 2009, English photographer Paul Cliff photographed 7- and 8-year-old children from Sofia and Teteven and asked them about their dreams and aspirations.
Some of the answers were childishly specific—the children wished to “go to the seaside,” “become the best straight-A student,” “go sightseeing in England, and also visit Sofia and Burgas.” Others were extremely ambitious: one child wanted to “to read all the books in the library.” Still others were in the realm of fantasy and involved “traveling back in time,” “becoming a dragon.” Finally, there were the altruists; one child in particular wished to “have a lot of money and donate half to a good cause.”
In 2017, Paul returned to Bulgaria, found the children, and asked the same questions. Some of the dreams had become bigger and bolder, while others had mellowed or become more realistic. The builder of “impossible” castles now dreams of becoming a programmer, and the traveler wishes for a future without inequality in Bulgaria. The desire for immortality transformed into hope for world peace.
Paul Cliff’s portrait photography exhibition “I Wish for My World”, carried out in cooperation with the Centre for Inclusive Education, features 50 photos of 25 Bulgarian children and traces the transformation of their dreams over a period of eight years. The first part of the project was included in CIE executive director Iva Boneva’s TED Talk in 2010. At the time, she called for reform of residential institutions for children without parental care, so they too can dream and make plans for the future. The “before and now” exhibition is part of CIE’s School Makes Sense Program, which aims to strengthen children’s motivation to go to school.
Paul says that he wants these pictures to remind everyone how important it is for children to be able to dream and that we are all responsible for giving them this opportunity. “When I was a child, the expression ‘your head is in the clouds’ was always uttered with disapproval. Fortunately, perceptions have changed, and adults are more aware now that children need to be allowed to dream.”
Born in Manchester, Paul studied photography at Tameside Collegе and began his professional career as an assistant photographer at Studio 061 in his hometown. He has photographed both celebrities and orphans and is an expert with people who aren’t at home in front of the camera. Today, the famous photographer embraces each and every opportunity to collaborate with organizations who have the good of people and community at their heart. The Centre for Inclusive Education works for social inclusion and access to quality education for all children in Bulgaria.
