Bela Szandelszky:
“The Kosovo Pictures”

Hungarian born photo-journalist Bela Szandelszky first traveled to Kosovo in March of 1998, where he began to document the events leading up to the ensuing military crisis and humanitarian tragedy. In November of the same year, Szandelszky was contracted by the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in the press department of the Kosovo Verification Mission (KVM). After the OSCE was evacuated in light of the NATO bombardment of Yugoslavia, Szandelszky continued his work in Kosovo until he and Allied journalists were forced to flee the province. In March of 1999, when NATO began Operation Allied Force, Szandelszky moved on to cover the refugee crisis from Macedonia and Albania.
In addition to numerous Hungarian publications, Kosovo images taken by Bela Szandelszky were published in numerous international newspapers including La Liberation, the The Independent, the Washington Post and the papers of the Southam news group.
The following images represent a selection of works that followed the chain of events as Szandelszky documented the military intervention and tragic events that transpired in Kosovo in 1999.

Burying the dead at Racak after the massacre.

Serb woman fleeing her home after the killing of her husband by Albanians.

Serb policemen shooting at Albanian position in Bukos, close to Pristina.

KLA special forces convoy leaving a gathering of Albanian forces.

Relatives of ethnic Albanians at the funeral of the victims of the Rogovo killings, in Rogovo, close to the Albanian border.

Thirteen-year-old Serb Daniella mourning the death of her father, killed by Albanians in Velika Hoca, central Kosovo.

The dead at Rogovo.

Journalists taking cover under fire.

KLA parade in central Kosovo in March 1999.

KLA troops, March 1998.

Albanian villagers fleeing from their native village of Kacanik, south of Kosovo.

 Refugees.

  In Malisevo, central Kosovo.

Albanian mother with her dying daughter in a Macedonian refugee camp.

British NATO soldiers in action heading from Macedonia to Pristina.

Albanian family returning home.

Albanian woman in her burned home.