Italy
sanne de wilde
“Our mind is a powerful tool that allows us to believe in things we cannot see, smell or touch. We can have faith, breathe life into lifeless sculptures and cherish them as living beings, create a collective memory, so tangible, that it takes form and emerges from the sea, gathering hundreds to witness it. We create whole worlds based on mental constructs, sometimes transactional; when it comes to the (imaginary) value of money in the contemporary religion of capitalism and consumerism. But there is another currency, the one of compassion and connection. Imagination is our superpower, photography a language through which we can connect and perception, mythology and beliefs can be visualised” Sanne de Wilde
My photographic journey lead me to Monopoli, home of PhEST, an inspiring photo festival led by Arianna Rinaldo, Giovanni Troilo and Cinzia Negherbon, who invited me to document the religious festivities taking place in Puglia in August 2019. The theme of the festival for 2019 was ‘Religion and Myths’.
I met the Madonna in Monopoli as she emerged from the sea.
I had envisioned a mermaid-like woman, surfacing draped in a curtain of water, eyes raised to the sky. Instead I photographed a painting of the madonna as a boat carried her to the shore, lit up like a modern-day diva against a backdrop of fireworks, surrounded by red smoke and bodyguards in diving suits.
Monopoli - Madonna della Madia. Monopoli's name belies its Greek origins - "monos polis" meaning unique city. The new town sprawls out along the coast, but Monopoli retains its historic center and fishing tradition.
The cathedral in Monopoli is dedicated to the Madonna della Madia, who arrived here by sea on December 15, 1117 on a raft, according to legend, bearing 31 wooden beams for the roof supports of the basilica. The event is recreated annually during the patron saint's celebrations.
I also met Padre Pio, an Italian friar declared saint.
He’s worshiped by steady streams of pilgrims and believers that travel Puglia to solemnly greet a wax doll sculpted in his image, resting in a glass casket like Snow White.
He became a symbol of hope. You can buy a Padre Pio-doll and drop a coin in a metal pillar to listen to the sound of his voice in San GiovannI Rotondo. Rumour has it that a local pharmacist confessed Padre Pio applied acid in the palms of his hands to bear stigmata.
Italy, San Giovanni Rotondo, August 2019. Shot in and around the Padre Pio sanctuary in San Giovanni Rotondo and in a workplace that produces Padre Pio dolls. Padre Pio was an Italian friar, priest, stigmatist and mystic, The Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina is a Catholic shrine in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, owned by the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin of the Province of Foggia. Its surface area is 6,000 square meters. Built in devotions to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, it can accommodate 6,500 people seated at worship, with standing room for 30,000 people outside. The Genoan architect Renzo Piano designed the church. It is located in front of Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for Relief of the Suffering), a big Italian hospital and research center, founded by Padre Pio.
August 2019. The cathedral in Monopoli is dedicated to the Madonna della Madia, who arrived here by sea on December 15, 1117 on a raft, according to legend, bearing 31 wooden beams for the roof supports of the basilica. The event is recreated annually during the patron saint's celebrations.
August 2019. Monopoli's name belies its Greek origins - "monos polis" meaning unique city. The new town sprawls out along the coast, but Monopoli retains its historic center and fishing tradition.
I met a lady, shoulders heavy with the weight of grief and sorrow.
She came to receive blessings of an Indian priest, who sprinkled holy water on the crown of her head and on the doll placed on the desk in front of her.
August 2019. Locorotondo is cradled between the Puglia plains of the Murgia and the green Valle d'Itria, between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. It has been named one of the "most beautiful towns in Italy,” The cathedral is dedicated to the town's patron saint, St. George
Monopoli's name belies its Greek origins - "monos polis" meaning unique city. The new town sprawls out along the coast, but Monopoli retains its historic center and fishing tradition.
Italy, Locorotondo, August 2019. SAN ROCCO, this is a yearly tradition held in small Puglian villages that host religious processions and festivities. Each of these towns in Puglia has its own special ‘protector’ that is worshipped and honoured with a celebration and/or procession during summer.
Despite the scepticism I was raising around— the. distrust towards an institute that preached punishment and guilt and owned all the houses in my street.
Here, I saw how the colorful processions, the brightly-lit sculptures, the paintings of saints, the colors— so many colors— brought people together, encouraged connection, and in their lives it was a touch of light.
Locorotondo is cradled between the Puglia plains of the Murgia and the green Valle d'Itria, between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. It has been named one of the "most beautiful towns in Italy,” The cathedral is dedicated to the town's patron saint, St. George.