In the summer of 2010 I came accross an online ad inviting people to attend " The War and Peace Annual Show ".

Having grown up in the Middle east, I was intruiged by the promising title, packed my camera and set off to Kent were the event was held.         The show, which is one of the largest gatherings of it's kind in the Europe, attracts hundreds of WW2 enthusiasts, re-enactors and veterans as well as WW2 motor vehicle and memorabilia collectors. The photographs presented here are from a series of images taken over a period of 3 years while attending 2 annual shows and other similar events in the south of England.

During the event participation of re-enactors in these events focuses on one of two different aspects of the lives of the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen that were involved in the conflict. The first, known as living history, emphasises the Garrison life of the average serviceman. The other involves simulated combat between the Allied forces and The Axis. The events are open to all ages and they attaract thousands of spectators every year.

The look of the enncampment area was very convincing and I had the sureal feeling of stumbling on to a film set. I was immediately drawn to childrens participation, having played with toy guns myself as a child. I wanted to express the conflicting feelings I have towards war and armed conflict. In this work the approach was to treat the subject in a homouristic way, highlighting the ubsurdity of our destructive behaviour. I intend to continue documenting similar events and places where war and weapons are exhibited and celebrated.

Charlie Yacoub