What Makes 21st Century Central and East European Photobooks so Different, so Appealing?

If we reflect on the “photobook phenomenon” that has been developing for a quarter of century, it will lead us to verification research subject in Central and Eastern Europe. The following text was directly triggered by exhibition catalog: Photobloc: Europe Photobooks opened at International Cultural Center Krakow 2019. project 20th-century history told photobooks. However, seems 21st European photobooks attract attention researchers collectors from all over world, subsequent nominations awards confirm their high-quality artistic production. shift present day forces cognitive categories are useful cataloging evaluating books. is an insight into possible chapters, motifs narratives concerning photobooks, so essay divided parts: first deals with new definition photobook, second cliche otherness region, third reassumption topographic photography, fourth focuses issues Europe, while fifth final part about intense political atmosphere influencing production All proposed chapters supported examples most important books published century. It attempt create initial catalog canonical books, as well answer title question: what makes contemporary different attractive?
 
 Article received: April 20, 2022; accepted: June 21, Published online: September 15, Original scholarly paper