Photographer Ora Buerkli is an Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. From the series ‘Within These Walls’. To see Ora’s body of work, click on any photograph.

Inside Magdenau convent in eastern Switzerland, I documented the daily lives of its small community of nuns. Like many convents across Europe, the community is aging and shrinking. Originally, the convent hosted around 50 nuns; at the time of this project, only 12 sisters were living there. This reality gave the project an added sense of importance.

Through repeated visits over a long period of time, I gained the trust of the nuns and was able to photograph aspects of convent life that are rarely seen by casual visitors. I witnessed the rhythm of everyday life, including prayer, daily household routines, shared meals, and celebrations of religious and personal events.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was the opportunity to move beyond my own assumptions about convent life. While faith is at the heart of the community, I came to see that the sisters face many of the same joys and challenges as any close-knit group of people. Friendships, disagreements, humor, and companionship all form part of their daily experience. I feel very fortunate to have been welcomed into this community and allowed to document a small part of their lives.

Artist statement

Photography has given me a way to connect with people across cultures, communities and faiths. It has encouraged me to slow down and observe closely. My camera often serves as a bridge, opening the door to unexpected moments of connection and trust. I am particularly drawn to themes of identity, faith, and community, and to the ways these are expressed in everyday life. I seek moments that reveal both the uniqueness of individual experience and the common threads that connect us. I mostly do street photography and alternately follow long time project.

Originally from Israel and now based in Zurich, Switzerland, I have travelled extensively. My work has been selected in numerous international photography competitions and exhibited internationally in galleries and festivals.

All images and text © Ora Buerkli