A return after 17 years—that is something we have likely never seen before here in the Week of Life project. Photographer Toh Gouttenoire from Costa Rica previously contributed two weeks’ worth of work at the end of 2009; now, he has added a current week, offering us a glimpse into his life and the natural beauty of a country that feels quite exotic to us. This week is presented without words, yet its narrative is clearly conveyed through the photographs. We featured him in a retrospective two years ago, and even back then, his professional background as a photographer was evident. In fact, he remains a professional photographer to this day, and you can easily find him online. This time, Toh has opted for the classic square format, so be sure to click on the individual photos to view them properly.

Once again, a set from a new member has caught our attention and deserves an ovation. A first glance at the images from designer Katerina Krasikova’s set shows that we are dealing with a colorfully conceived week of life that reveals a tremendous amount of information about the author, notably the fact that she likes to search for interesting moments through the viewfinder of her camera and is able to capture them in a unique fashion. While documenting these seven days of life, Katerina was certainly not bored and neither will you be as you browse through her set.

Today, instead of a retrospective look back, we are featuring a truly exceptional week—one created by Junko from Japan that beautifully captures the Japanese perspective on the Czech Republic. This isn't Junko and Tetsuya’s first visit to the country; they have returned after seven years—their first trip back since the pandemic. You likely recognize them from Lenka Pužmanová’s "Week of Life" entry—which is still featured on our homepage—as they visited České Budějovice during their travels across the Czech Republic. Moreover, the week Junko has created is outstanding in terms of both photography and content; it serves as a wonderful showcase for our beautiful country. Last but not least, it is a brilliant example of how the Week of Life project connects people from all over the globe, regardless of their professions, interests, or where they live. We thank Junko for this fantastic week and for the fact that she enjoys her time here so much.