This chance encounter, resulting from Marco’s desire for exploration, became the subject of a body of work titled In Light, which was released earlier this year. Part photo series, part short film, the work investigates the traditions of the UWB, which was founded towards the end of the 19th Century by Bulgarian philosopher and spiritual teacher Peter Deunov. His teachings, which fall under a form of Christian esoterism, are characterised by practices such as prayers, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga of nutrition and ‘paneurhythmy’ — or, in other words, physical musical exercises.

The group takes its name from the following understandings of each word: ‘Universal’ as a reference to the idea that people can expand their consciousness with universal concepts about life; ‘White’ as a reference to “the highest spiritual symbol, which is the synthesis of all colours”; and ‘Brotherhood’ as a reference to the openness of the group’s teachings, which are “for every human no matter what community, religion, or group they belong to.”

Despite the UWB’s relatively small following in the present day, Marco was drawn to them from the very beginning, and says that In Light is an attempt to understand and communicate their perspectives and practices. Equally, the project concerns itself with broader themes surrounding “the universal language of music and dance, the connection between humans and nature, and the power of community and spirituality.”

Through both his photographs and the short film that he made with director Alice Fassi, Marco hopes to “convey a message of unity, harmony and love, and to showcase the beauty of human connection and the natural world.” In both, subdued imagery, with occasional pops of colour, show the special gatherings that take place in this remote part of Bulgaria, capturing the profound energy created by humans together, in motion. Though this captivating practice is performed out in the open, there is the sense that we have stumbled on a secret, just as Marco once did.