Joachim Adrian, Denmark

Denmark: When your family will be “closed down”

What can you do when you realize at the age of 14 that your own family is a disaster? Mikkel Hartwich decided that he would be better off in a care home for unruly teenagers. His new home was like a shared flat where Mikkel felt safe and secure for the first time ever.

When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 1 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 2 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 3 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 4 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 5 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 6 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 7 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 8 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 9 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 10 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 11 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 12 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
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When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 14 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
When your family will be “closed down”. © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism
Bild 15 von 15 © Joachim Adrian/Danish School of Photojournalism

Click on a picture to enlarge.

He trusted his care workers and his fellow occupants were like brothers and sisters to him. Unfortunately, Mikkel’s four good years in here draw to a close as Denmark joins other countries in cutting budgets for social institutions - the home will be closed. Danish photographer Jochen Adrian joined Mikkel on his last day in his beloved refuge. For Mikkel, saying goodbye felt like an expulsion from paradise.

How will Mikkel master his life on his own? He does not know. He only knows that he is afraid of it.

Curriculum Vitae: Joachim Adrian (Danish School of Photojournalism)

UNICEF-Photo of the Year Joachim Adrian. © Rune Pedersen

1997: High School graduate
1997-2002: Sailor and traveller
2002: Basic course of photography. K.U.B.A.
2003: Student at Fatamorgana, danish art school of photography
2004-2008: Photostudent at Danish School of Journalism
2006-2007: Trainee at danish national newspaper Politiken
2009: Teacher at Fatamorgana, danish art school of photography
2009-2014: Staff photographer at danish national newspaper Politiken