The Hot Waters
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Dates2003 - 2023
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Author
- Topics Daily Life, Documentary, Portrait, Street Photography, Travel
- Location Varna, Bulgaria
A candid portrait of the regulars of a iconic place in Varna, Bulgaria.
The Hot waters
In Varna, Bulgaria, there is a natural spring with hot mineral water at about 55°C right on the beach. In the early 70 the local authorities, after some drilling, built a pump station to provide hot water for the naval school. “The Hot Waters” appeared as a result of the extra flow to the beach. The place is also known locally as “The Pit” or “The Loch”. Now, there is a pool made with donated money, some say from a Canadian emigrant of Bulgarian-Armenian descendant, but this is more of an urban legend or rumour…
When I started to photographing the Hot Waters and it’s regulars back in 2002 there were just a few people frequenting this place, mostly older people. Now this pool has become so popular, that it is possible to see people from all genders, ages, nationalities and stratus of society - from sex workers to PhD’s.
It is a very picturesque and colourful place where people come to appreciate the free and healing mineral waters. Located on the Black Sea shore looking out onto the horizon beyond. Here you can have a nice chat or not at all. Just sitting and observing while the hot water cures the body.
