FLAME OF HOPE – December 2007

These are photographs I took at a candlelit vigil held in support of Ingrid Betancourt and the other hostages held in Colombia; in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France on the 22nd December 2007.This was three days before Christmas day - 25th of December 2007; which was also Ingrid's 46th birthday, her 6th Christmas and 2131st day in captivity somewhere in the Colombian jungle, far from her children and family. These are photos I took at a candlelit vigil held in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France on the 22nd December 2007.

I was struck by the courage of Ingrid's two children, Mélanie & Lorenzo - under the glare of photographers, TV news crews, interviewers, the many people who wanted to talk with them and shake their hands - fighting hard so that their mother and all the other hostages are not forgotten and for their liberation.

Let's hope that this was Ingrid's and the 3000 other hostages' last Christmas in captivity, and that they shall soon return safely to their families & loved ones.

Link to my Ingrid flickr photosets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/h_de_c/collections/72157604218044587/

Photos: H de C