Holy Week in Sicily
Bruno Barbey captures the tradition and ceremony of Holy Week in Sicily
Holy Week traditions in Sicily have their roots in the legacy of 17th century Spanish domination of the island, and still bear a close resemblance to current Easter traditions in southern Spain. A multitude of ancient rituals take place in various towns and villages around the island: solemn processions and passion plays culminate in a fireworks celebration on Easter Sunday. Bruno Barbey first photographed these rites in 1963, and in 2011, he returned to photograph the celebrations again, still almost identical to the first time he witnessed them.