Photo Gallery: Terry Bruinier and the people of Eastern Europe (Part 1)
Traveling by motorcycle behind the Iron Curtain in 1971.
Gallery 1 of 2: This collection of photographs by Terry Bruinier (1950-1973) was taken on a multi-month motorcycle and camping trek through Soviet occupied Eastern Europe in 1971.
Introduction:
Terry Jon Bruinier was a good friend, and when he passed at the age of 23 from injuries incurred in an automobile accident, this collection of photographs was left in my care. The images were exhibited twice before being put in storage. The first exhibit was at the Fairbanks Gallery at Oregon State University, and again at the University of Oregon’s Bruinier Gallery for Student Photography. This platform seems to be an ideal place to share these amazing images today.
Terry was a 1967 graduate of Lake Oswego High School and the University of Oregon in 1971. At the time of his passing he was home on leave from the US Navy during the Viet Nam War.
Terry, being an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed camping and photography, decided to go to Europe after graduating from college. He purchased a used motorcycle, needed camping gear, and set off to wander the back roads of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Romania, where these photographs were taken.
As he cycled through Eastern Europe he would stay in a hostel, camp with his tent and gear, or quite often he would be invited to stay with families he encountered along the way.
He found the people incredibly friendly and welcoming and sometimes he’d stay at someone’s place for several days as he helped out with farm tasks. Most of the families lived at a subsistence level in life, yet sharing was a common practice.
Photo Gallery I: Not much is known about each photo. Some are marked with location. A diary he kept helps in further identification when possible. All of these photographs were taken of the people he met and enjoyed getting to know..
“The way to friendship is to help someone in need and expect nothing in return. I have learned this in my travels through Europe. It is the practice of friendship that made my trip a success.” Terry Bruinier, Yugoslavia, 1971.
All images are copyrighted and may not be reproduced.
What great photos and a life that was way too short. Thank you for posting these.