sirino

Year: 2019 / 2020
Location: Lagonegro, Basilicata, Italy

This project was born to show, through a photographic
story, what is the relationship with faith of the people
from a small village in southern Italy, Lagonegro: where the only lifeline is represented by a symbol, a wooden queen
that makes everyone equal.

Hidden at the foot of Mount Sirino, one of the
highest mountains in southern Italy, we find Lagonegro,
a small village rooted in its religious and social
traditions. To bring together and create a deep bond
between the people of this village is the festival
dedicated to the Madonna of Mount Sirino.

Every year, on the third Sunday of June, the inhabitants
gather in the square in front of the village's mother
church to carry the century-old statue to the top of the
mountain along steep, narrow mountain paths. The
religious idol then spends every summer in the small
stone chapel at the top of the mountain. In August, the
inhabitants of the village reach the chapel at the top of
the mountain for a week's camping, where religious
gatherings and songs alternate with festivities and
banquets.

On the third Sunday of September, the statue
is brought back to the village. On arrival, a crowd of
people also coming from nearby villages welcomes the
Madonna and her carriers with songs, flowers and
celebrations.