Photographic exhibition "Vicino/Lontano (Near/Far). A Journey to Discover the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Immigration in ltaly"
The photo exhibition Close/Far - A journey of discovery of the cultural and natural heritage of migrant communities in Italy has been designed and produced by the Italian National Commission for UNESCO. It was devised to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1972 UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the 20th anniversary of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. This edition, co-organized with the Municipality of Alghero in collaboration with the ONG GUS (Group of Human Solidarity), aims at commemorating the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and at spreading the 2023 UNESCO’s updated Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development.
The photo exhibition is intended as a tribute to the cultural diversity of migrants, fostering mutual acknowledgement and appraisal of the value of Heritage. How do people with a migrant background live and what kind of relationship do they establish with their cultural and natural heritage? What memories, what emotions, what moments in life link them to their countries of origin? The exhibition investigates these aspects through photos related to places of particular interest or taken during meaningful cultural practices, even if not necessarily protected by UNESCO. The exhibition is organized around 300+ photos, building a dialogue between the UNESCO Cultural and Natural Heritage images and photos taken by migrants belonging to the widest foreigner communities in Italy, who took part in the project through a public call. Participants sent hundreds of photos, taken either by professionals or by enthusiasts, involved by communities both in Italy and in their countries of origin.
The photographic material is divided into 14 sections, representing the cultural heritage of 29 countries, and goes in depth on different topics in order to highlight the variety of human societies’ cultural responses to their universal needs: Human settlements and movement of peoples; Spirituality; Festivities, celebrations, crafts, food and artistic expressions; Natural environment, geo and biodiversity. A series of portraits is displayed in a special section of the exhibition, reminding us that people remain at the centre of everything. Notwithstanding their apparent diversity, they are unified by common features, such as the aspiration to peace and dignity, which cannot be separated from respect for cultural identity. The exhibition was held in Rome in 2022, in Bologna in 2023 and at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in 2024.
- From October 10 to November 8 2025, the exhibition will take place at the San Michele Complex in Alghero (Sardinia - Italy), and a round table discussion on the exhibition’s themes will be held on 7 November.
- Guided tours and training sessions will also be organised for school teachers.
