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Zingst in focus: exhibitions show the unknown North Korea!
Zingst is presenting two photography exhibitions on society by Xiomara Bender and Manfred Scharnberg until January 31, 2026.
Zingst in focus: exhibitions show the unknown North Korea!
This year Zingst has once again established itself as a vibrant center for photography. With two impressive exhibitions – “Waiting for the Rainbow” by the talented Xiomara Bender and “From Today to Tomorrow” by Manfred Scharnberg – the region promises visual stories that provide a deep insight into social processes. The range extends from North Korea to the picturesque landscapes of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. kultur-mv.de reports that the exhibitions are embedded in the larger “Fotoherbst” program in Zingst, which includes a total of twelve different exhibitions.
Xiomara Bender, who has been to North Korea several times in the last ten years, is presenting her photographs at the Max Hünten Haus Zingst until January 31, 2026. Her works show a North Korea far away from the usual political clichés. Bender has focused on everyday experiences, including dance training and silent portraits. This perspective invites you to explore the collective happiness and personal stories behind the country's facade. photography.de emphasizes that Bender was still able to gain spontaneous insights into the lives of the local people during her trips, which were often accompanied by state minders.
A look behind the facade
Bender's commitment to portraying the real North Korea goes far beyond mere images. Her illustrated book “Waiting for the Rainbow” shows intimate snapshots that emphasize the openness and friendliness of people. From soldiers sitting on trucks to people getting off buses, her photographs tell stories that are often lost in common depictions of the country. This concern to show the good and human sides is part of her work. “I wanted to capture an unbiased image of the people in North Korea,” is how she describes the goal of her photographs, which is also reflected in her illustrated book, which consists of 208 pages and was published by teNeues Verlag. [ndr.de](https://www.ndr.de/kultur/buch/Warten-auf-Regenbogen-Bildband- happens-unknown-Nordkorea,bender204.html)
The price for the illustrated book is 60 euros. With his honest images, Bender's work attracts attention not only in galleries, but also in renowned publications such as "Stern" and "Zeit", which once again underlines how important an authentic look at this often misunderstood nation is.
In Zingst, visitors can expect not only a varied collection of photographs, but also numerous photo workshops and excursions. Zingst has long since established itself as a highlight in the annual photographic calendar. Against this background, Bender and Scharnberg's exhibitions make it clear that photography is not only art, but also an important medium of dialogue and understanding.