German journalist Michael Gleich’s photo exhibition Silence Alive: The Global Culture of Farewell, currently running at the Napier Museum grounds in Thiruvananthapuram, is a tribute to the departed. The remains of the demise captured on camera are present at the bandstand located in the museum premises.
The exhibition, organized by the Goethe-Zentrum Trivandrum, is a collection of Michael’s works over the past 10 years, traveling to Germany, USA, Rwanda, Malaysia, Tunisia, Austria, Lebanon, UK and India in search of diverse images, symbols, symbols and rituals related to death.
Michael says, “As a reporter who is sent to many countries, I have had the opportunity to visit cemeteries around the world. What I have noticed is that there is an unnecessary sense of taboo around death. It is an integral part of life and the realization that we do not live forever.”
The exhibition displays photographs of cemeteries, tombs and burial rituals from various religions, including the graves of figures such as philosopher Karl Marx and musician Jim Morrison. Michael also highlights a range of artefacts on the graves of artists, writers, singers and actors.
Photographs of prominent graves in Silence Alive: Global Culture of Farewell Photo Exhibition | Photo Courtesy: Nainu Oommen
One of the oldest photographs taken by a journalist is of a Soviet military cemetery in Berlin, Germany. About 3,000 Soviet soldiers are buried in the cemetery, says Michael. He says, “This work takes an interesting look at how, despite the current strained relations between Russia and the rest of Europe, we still maintain respect for the dead who are buried there.”
Photos of the Soviet Military Cemetery in Berlin | Photo Courtesy: Nainu Oommen
Another exhibit features photographs of genocide cemeteries in Rwanda, taken last year, and the remains of victims of the 1994 Rwandan civil war.
Also displayed are photographs of the St. Dimitrios Orthodox Cemetery in Beirut, Lebanon.
One of the photographs the journalist has is of an open-air funeral in Kannur. “These photos were taken two weeks ago. According to me, the main aspect of the work is dignity in death.” The series shows relatives of the deceased walking around a body placed under a pile of firewood. Another picture is of relatives throwing rice on a burning dead body.
Michael says, “I had the deepest impression of that cremation. In the two days I was there, I became emotionally close to the people. They let me go near the body and capture the ritual completely.”
Hindu cremation scenes captured by Michael Gleich | Photo Courtesy: Nainu Oommen
One of the works, a series titled Gestures of Farewell, features sculptures and artwork at various cemeteries across Germany. In one picture, two statues are standing facing each other and there is a gate in between. “It represents the presence of another stage, leading to the other side with a gate representing death,” says Michael.
The journalist says, “Society really suffers if it cannot provide last rites for the dead. For example, in Gaza, we feel collective pain with people buried under the ruins of their own homes. It affects the soul of society when there are no last rites for the dead.”
One of the biggest challenges, Michael says, was researching sites for the photos. “It also requires a lot of patience. When you take pictures, people can easily adjust to outdoor conditions, but when capturing statues and tombs, it is essential to find the right lighting for the photo. Sometimes, I have to come back in a different season with a different daylight to get the ideal shot.”
The journalist hopes to organize exhibitions in various Goethe centers around the world with the aim of photographing local cemeteries. “I want to print long essays about the photographs as well as catalogs with my photographs,” says Michael.
This exhibition will run till 8 November at the Napier Museum grounds. admission is free
published – November 06, 2025 11:25 am IST