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AFP / Wang Zhao

Melting in Harbin ice

Wang Zhao Thursday 14 January 2016

"The thing that struck me about the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival was just how relaxed everyone was," writes Beijing-based photographer Wang Zhao. "It struck me because noone paid any attention to me taking pictures of them with my camera. In Beijing, when you take pictures of people on the street, they often shy away, can get unhappy or even angry. But here, noone cared. It’s like the usual reserve melted away."

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AFP / Atta Kenare, AFP / Fadel Senna, AFP / Khaled Desouki, AFP / Patrick Baz

Get your motor running - women bikers in Muslim lands

Patrick Baz Wednesday 13 January 2016

AFP/Atta Kenare, AFP/Fadel Senna, AFP/Khaled Desouki, AFP/Patrick Baz)

I don’t remember exactly when, but a little while back I realized that there were women in Lebanon riding motorcycles," writes Beirut-based photographer Patrick Baz. "Now the country has a lot of different aspects and in many ways is very European, but still, we’re in the Middle East here and women riding motorcycles is not an ordinary thing. So I decided to look into it further."

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AFP / Patrick Kovarik

Emptying the canal

Patrick Kovarik Monday 11 January 2016

"It’s a ritual that unfolds every 10 to 15 years in what has become one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Paris. Canal Saint Martin is emptied in order to be cleaned and renovated," writes AFP's photographer Patrick Kovarik.

"A great occasion for residents and the curious alike to see what has been lying below the waters. Turns out the canal is not only one of the city’s favorite socializing spots. It’s also a favorite trashcan."

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AFP / Cesar Manso

In the holy house of... the skateboard

Cesar Manso Thursday 7 January 2016

Looking for a nice photo essay to do in the quiet period between Christmas and New Year, AFP's photographer stringer in northern Spain Cesar Manso stumbled upon a temple to skateboarding. Literally.

It's called the Church of Skate.

Not since Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel painted it in his distinctive style, full of color and geometric shapes.

"It's pretty incredible. A curious mix of religious architecture and street art. And in the middle of it all, you have skaters doing their tricks on wooden ramps."

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AFP / Emmanuel Dunand

Dear Adam: New Year, new life for refugees like you

Serene Assir Wednesday 6 January 2016

"Dear Adam,

"I first met you when you were just three months old, a baby in your father's arms as he and your beautiful mother climbed onto an old, packed train on the Balkan migrant route to Europe," writes AFP's Paris-based correspondent Serene Assir.

Having survived a bomb attack in their native Baghdad, Adam's parents, Ahmad and Alia, decided to risk it all to give their son a life in peace and security. They took their life savings and headed to the promised land of Western Europe. They crossed the Aegean Sea, a drop in the tide of humanity that last year made the often perilous journey, fleeing misery and warfare in their homelands. They trekked the Balkan migrant route, where Serene, photographer Aris Messinis and videographer Celine Jankowiak first met them. Eventually they ended up in the Netherlands, where they have applied for asylum.

"Because you've had such an incredible start to life, I decided to write you this letter to start the New Year.

"I'll ask your parents, who moved mountains to bring you to Europe, to keep it safe so you can read it when you're older."

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