A reflection by Angelo Pitrone on Agrigento Capital of Culture 2025
When Matera was Capital of Culture in 2019 I was there. I went to present my latest photography book: Favara story of one regeneration possible. Matera has always been a city full of historical, literary and cinematographic charm. A city in the deep South, within that problem that was once called Southern question.
Today it is Agrigento that has to fill that role, but here the game changes. Agrigento is the city where I was born and where I live. The bond is not only photographic, but is much more complex and emotionally articulated.
Agrigento has always played a role in the history of Sicily and the Mediterranean. From the splendor of Akragas to the economic marginalization of our years. The dates of the story have given her different names and roles. From the Second Punic War, in the third century BC, to the Allied landing of the Second World War in ’43. Until today’s landings in Lampedusa which have made it the gateway to Europe for all the derelict populations of contemporary history.
Therefore, in addition to its great archaeological heritage, in addition to being the birthplace of many Italian writers of the 20th century, it has been the destination for almost three centuries of artists and intellectuals from all over the world, today this city takes on a responsibility that can redeem it from all its ailments and sad reputation to occupy the final part of all the Italian economic and social development rankings.
This is my photo gallerya wants to be a small visual contribution to this rebirth, collecting alongside the photos of the places and lights of Agrigento, also the images of the other pearls of its territory such as Favara, Porto Empedocle, Racalmuto, Licata, Sciacca, Santo Stefano Quisquina, Linosa, Caltabellotta, the Scala dei Turchi and Punta Bianca.
An invitation to travel and an invitation to understand the reasons for a possible change.
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