The Believers Project

“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe” VoltaireReligion moves masses.

“Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe” Voltaire

Religion moves masses. It is a shared consciousness, expressed through rituals and

symbols, preserved through tradition, and each claiming entitlement to truth.

The Believers is a body of documentary work by photographer Jordi Pizarro, in his quest to explore the question why do people believe, and how has religion, through the ages, been used to narrate the purpose of our existence.

As part of an on-going long-term project, The Believers explores religious communities in 10 countries across 4 continents. In his work, Jordi Pizarro seeks to document and

understand how communities are formed through religion, or the contrary; how beliefs are reinforced through preserving traditions; and faith is strengthened through performing rituals and sharing a common interpretation of truth.

Jordi Pizarro also sets out to demonstrate that faith, and the practice of religion is

intrinsically linked to human life. That cultural practices of faith differ, but the pursuit for truth remains common to all.

The Believers also focuses on minority groups and religions that exist within a society of believers of a different faith. It looks at how communities may isolate themselves, or be isolated, and how faith serves to strengthen and counsel individuals who guard their rituals and the right to perform them with fierce conviction and passion.

This body of work is a pilgrimage in its own right, to unravel the complexity of human

faith. The Believers sets out to capture the moment “truth” – the moment of absolute faith that leads individuals to endure physical suffering; to believe with absolute certainty in that which they cannot see; to inflict pain and sacrifice upon themselves; and at the most extreme, be prepared to die for their faith, to kill and even to wage war.

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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A Hindu devotees waiting the food near the fire in the Kumbh Mela campament. Allahabad, India --- The Kumbh Mela, is the single largest religious gathering in the world, held at confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna in Allahabad. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years old and Around 11 million people gather on a single day for a ritual bath. Hinduism. Pilgrims. Photo of Jordi Pizarro / CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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River Sangam, Varanasi, India, January 2013 - After Maha Kumbh Mela pilgrimage -baba, sadhu taking a bath in shangam during the special day celebration "Maghi Purnima Snan" . --- The Kumbh Mela is the single largest religious gathering in the world, held at confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna in Allahabad. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated every twelve years. Around 11 million people gather on a single day for a ritual bath./JORDI PIZARRO/ CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Ethiopian Orthodox Christian worshippers carry a cross during Good Friday processionstowards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem ( Israel ) Photo of Jordi Pizarro/Contrastro

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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River Sangam, Allahabad, India, January 2013 - Maha Kumbh Mela pilgrimage - A family with a dead body ( Grandfather ) is preparing the funeral according to the topics of Hinduist Religion, first, the dead body is submerged in to the Ganges water with offerings, after is prepared with oils and incense and is incinerated by the big brother of the family near to the ganges. In the funeral no it's permited the womens assistence, because people believe, with her cryings the soul spent more time for change the body and get the reincarnation. --- The Kumbh Mela is the single largest religious gathering in the world, held at confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna in Allahabad. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated every twelve years. Around 11 million people gather on a single day for a ritual bath./JORDI PIZARRO/ CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Poland, August 2012. Gora Grabarka. This pilgrimage Is the greatest centre of worship for the Orthodox Comunities in Poland. The summit of the mountain is surrounded by thousands of wooden crosses dragged to the peak by devoted pilgrims. Pilgrims are putting a cross in the mountain. Photo of Jordi Pizarro / CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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River Sangam, Allahabad, India, January 2013 - Maha Kumbh Mela pilgrimage -Excited babas and shadus takimg a bath in shangam during the special day celebration "Basant Panchami Snan ". --- The Kumbh Mela is the single largest religious gathering in the world, held at confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna in Allahabad. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated every twelve years. Around 11 million people gather on a single day for a ritual bath./JORDI PIZARRO/ CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Poland, August 2012. Gora Grabarka. This pilgrimage Is the greatest centre of worship for the Orthodox Comunities in Poland. The summit of the mountain is surrounded by thousands of wooden crosses dragged to the peak by devoted pilgrims. A pilgrim is walking on their knees in penitence in the mountain. Photo of Jordi Pizarro / CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Christian pilgrims hold candles at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, during the ceremony of the Holy Fire. Jerusalem ( Israel ) Photo of Jordi Pizarro/Contrastro

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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A dead body is cremated in a crematorium according to Hindu religious beliefs. In the Hindu religion the city of Varanasi is considered one of the holiest cities in India. For this reason many people go to die there, the bodies are burned in the tourist heart of the city, on the banks of the Ganges. Varanasi,Benarés India --- Dead. Burn. Bodies. Hinduism. Pilgrims. Photo of Jordi Pizarro / CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Poland, August 2012. Gora Grabarka. This pilgrimage Is the greatest centre of worship for the Orthodox Comunities in Poland. The summit of the mountain is surrounded by thousands of wooden crosses dragged to the peak by devoted pilgrims. A pilgrim carrying a cross to the mountain. Photo of Jordi Pizarro / CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Orthodox worshippers praying into the the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem ( Israel ) Photo of Jordi Pizarro/Contrastro

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Poland, August 2012. Gora Grabarka. This pilgrimage Is the greatest centre of worship for the Orthodox Comunities in Poland. The summit of the mountain is surrounded by thousands of wooden crosses dragged to the peak by devoted pilgrims. Pilgrims are putting a cross in the mountain. Photo of Jordi Pizarro / CONTRASTRO

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Orthodox worshippers praying into the the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the good friday in Jerusalem ( Israel ) Photo of Jordi Pizarro/Contrastro

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Armenian solemny Procession go to “house of Caiphas” a armenian monastery in Jerusalem ( Israel ) Photo of Jordi Pizarro/Contrastro

© Jordi Pizarro - Image from the The Believers Project photography project
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Hindu devotees after to take a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna River. Allahabad, India --- The Kumbh Mela, is the single largest religious gathering in the world, held at confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna in Allahabad. The Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 12 years old and Around 11 million people gather on a single day for a ritual bath. Hinduism. Pilgrims. Photo of Jordi Pizarro / CONTRASTRO

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