There are no winners in war, but memories of misery as those that marked World War II, a period in which Apulia became centre stage to the events that led to the birth of the Italian Republic. Stories of Friendshipis Accademia Apulias latest photography exhibition. It aims to highlightthe important contribution Apulia made in securing the end of World War II – a fact largely unknown by the international community. However, the focus of this exhibition is not so much on weapons, uniforms, combat techniques, as on ordinary peoples stories who, revealing their humanity, show a perspective of a bygone era.
One hundred photographs, films and diaries from the archives of the Imperial War Museum, London, provide a new insight into some of the most significant encounters between British soldiers and the civilian population, peasants, artisans and intellectuals. The soldiers portrayed in the photographs established cordial relations with the local people in spite of their uniforms and rank. As a direct result of this interaction many British soldiers married local women, setting up households both in Italy and the UK.
Stories of Friendship testify that even in war there is room for positive values. Brotherhood and solidarity are at the heart of the human soul regardless of nationality and status. The exhibition, financed by the local government of Apulia, GAL Apulia and Accademia Apulia, curated byTatiana Chierici, will bea touring exhibition running between July 2014 and March 2015.
Further details here
Museum of the Order of St John from 21/07/2014 to 30/08/2014
Bexley Hall Place from14/09/2014 to 11/03/2015
Oxford School of Photography 