After seeking out Syrian refugees in his debut Niemandsland, Middle East expert Willem Staes travels through Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria in Vuurland.
He charts the horrific consequences of war, telling the stories of ordinary Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians and Israelis from their perspective. As he travels through the region, he seeks to foster empathy and humanity.
A common thread runs through those testimonies: 7 October was not the beginning, but just another episode of violence in a decades-long history of impunity, occupation and repression. Without thorough knowledge of the past, it is impossible to understand the present or prevent further conflict in the future.
