HANDS OF THE SOUTH
Hand-picked coffee, hand-made panela, hand-selected beans, hand-carried bananas, hand-woven sombreros, hand-intertwined ritual leaves. In the rural south of Colombia, between the departments of Nariño and Putumayo, hands still play a vital role. Products that reflect the mixing of Indigenous and Spanish cultures, with the influence of neighbouring Ecuador. Artists' goods are sold at low prices to buyers who then mark up prices in commercial marketplaces, robbing artists of profit for their work. With the context of globalization
Artisanal products that are sold at low prices outside of the area, that have to compete with globalization, with mass production. That here are bought for 1 and are sold for 10 in the markets of the big cities, Farmers that have centuries of knowledge, and broken hands from the hard work. Craftspeople and artisans that will keep that kowledge, waiting for the honor they deserve.
MARIMONDA
The Cienaga Marimonda is so called because years ago there were large numbers of “marimonda”, better known as spider monkeys (Ateles fusciceps). Deforestation, grazing and hunting have almost wiped out the species, and the lush forest that host the monkeys. Don William is the most active part of the conservation project that Neotropical Primate Conservation built on this community. He has been observing their behavior and group dynamics for months. He is sure that things can change. Through education, strong community work and why not - a well managed ecotourism project. To protect a place rich on biodiversity, that will still be called "Marimonda" by the next generations, where it will be still be possible to hear the call of the spider monkeys.
Don William
LIVING ON THE PERIPHERY
In the pacific Guatemalan coast, between the sea and the mangrove, lives a family. Most of the kids make their part for the family: fishing, helping their father on the salt farm. The closest school is in the closest village, an hour's paddle away. And they always get there at time, just at 8 o'clock. Nicho, one of the kids, fourteen years old, doesn't know how to read. The difference on the quality of teaching in the cities and in the peripheral area of the country is dramatical. Smiling children, happy children, free children. Children without a decent education, children forgotten by the state, poor children. Children who will hardly be able to dream, children who will have many doors closed, children who may have to make do, children who will have to struggle much harder than others. Just because they were born in the periphery. Read the full story here.
A SONG OF LAUGHTER AND TEARS
Dun-dun-dun-pause. Dun-dun-dun-pause. Half drunk young men, in their colorful traditional dress and sunglasses play this constant rythm, with accordion and drums, around the tombs, in exchange for some coins. Are they playing for the dead or for the living? Probably for both. Men and women with puffy eyes and blank gaze walk around the hill of Romerillo, Chiapas, the southest state of Mexico. During the year, this place is the normal cementery of the community. During the days of the dead, it becomes orange for the cempasuchil (the traditional flower) and it transforms in a swirl of tears, sugarcane spirit, dances, markets - and even an amusement park.
FRAILEJON
The páramo is by far the most charismatic biome of Colombia. The excitment of the high altitude - the páramo starts at 3500m on sea level -, mixed with the unbelievable landscape makes the scenery almost magic. The protagonist is always the frailejón (Espeletia sp.). Its shape, its colours, its presence. Its key role on water retaining (70% of Colombia's drinkable water comes from the paramo) makes it a fundamental friend to keep and to protect. Its pattern, its circular structure, the hipnotizing perfection of its shape that resembles a spring of freshwater, ready to quench the thirst of millions of people. A symbol of life, of hope, that needs to be protected.
NOCTURNOS / A DOCUMENTARY
A week in the cold cloud forest in San Antonio de Tequendama, Cundinamarca, near the famous waterfall. There, every night, Martin and Sebas - students, volunteers of the monitoring program - stayed up to look for and monitor the Andean night monkey, Aotus lemurinus. Observing the behavior of the group - composed of Maní and Mela with their calf, Morita -, noting coordinates and climbing the steep, wet trails. During the day, phenology walks and opening trails, to facilitate the work at night.
About
Italian freelance photographer and documentary filmmaker. He worked for a communication company in his country: in 2022 he started travelling around Mexico an central America, while doing projects with NGOs, association and organization focused on biodiversity and social themes. Now lives in Bogota, Colombia, and he's developing a project focused on primate conservation.
