Winners 2018 – Single Pictures

Run like hell
Antonio Tartaglia
(Italy)

“Sulfur, faith, breathtaking escapes. San Severo, Italy. Every year on the streets of the city, explosions blend prayers to the “Festa del Soccorso”. Fujenti (this is their traditional name) run under kilometers of fireworks and firecrackers, typical of San Severo, surrounded by thousands of loud bangs and sparks that became more and more powerful. On every block Hail Mary and deflagrations merge the Processions in honor of the Virgin Mary, protector of the city. A centenary tradition testified by a document dated 1707 that mentions the union of firecrackers and religious celebrations, in which the local parish council invited the people to celebrate the black Madonna with noisy explosions as a sign of devotion. Unfortunately, that of 2018 could have been the last characteristic escape of the “fujenti”, as a result of the more and more urgent laws on the safety, this secular tradition of South Italy risks disappearing forever.”