day by day
The inland areas of Italy constitute a vast portion of the country, occupying about three-fifths of the national territory, while hosting just under a quarter of the total population. These regions are extremely heterogeneous within themselves, sharing only their remoteness from major urban areas and services. Their developmental trajectories may be unstable, but they also boast resources that the more metropolitan areas of the country often lack.
The Apennine region of Emilia emerges here as an area of great interest, at the centre of initiatives aimed at acknowledging and enhancing specific forms of cultural heritage. This heritage is manifested through lifestyles deeply rooted in the slow cycles of the natural mountainside environment as well as through consolidated networks of mutual assistance. These elements not only represent a significant legacy for the mountain community itself, but also constitute a source of interest and value for a broader community, extending to the towns and plains surrounding the Apennines.
The works on show in Fotografia Europea 2024, under the guidance of Karim El Maktafi, are set against this fascinating context. Nature loves to hide: this is the theme of the festival, which finds a privileged channel of expression in this very area. The profound interconnection between humans and nature, characterised by a relationship at once both strong and fragile, is revealed over the centuries through a profound bond that remains vital thanks to activities that continue to breathe life into these territories.
In his work, Karim El Maktafi immerses in both age-old and recent histories, exploring faces and places that serve as a sort of living map of the territory. His exploration takes the form of a journey highlighting the intrinsic spirituality of people in harmony with nature, capturing the essence of a bond that persists over time and contributes significantly to the richness and diversity of this mountain region.
