Sebastião Salgado, Master of Monochrome, Dies at 81
Born on 8 February 1944 in Aimorés, Minas Gerais, Salgado initially pursued a career in economics, earning a master's degree from the University of São Paulo. His trajectory shifted in the early 1970s when, while working for the International Coffee Organization, he began photographing coffee plantations in Africa. This experience ignited a passion for photography that led him to abandon economics and dedicate himself fully to documenting global social issues.
Salgado's work is distinguished by its profound empathy and meticulous composition. Over five decades, he travelled to more than 130 countries, capturing images that highlighted the dignity and resilience of people facing adversity. His seminal projects include 'Workers' , a tribute to manual labourers worldwide; 'Exodus' , documenting mass migrations and displacements; and 'Genesis' , a visual homage to the planet's pristine landscapes and indigenous cultures.
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His commitment to long-term projects allowed him to delve deeply into his subjects, often spending years on a single series. This approach garnered both acclaim and criticism; while many praised the aesthetic and emotional power of his images, some argued that his portrayal of suffering risked romanticising hardship. Salgado defended his methodology, asserting that his intent was to bear witness and provoke reflection.
In the 1990s, after witnessing the horrors of the Rwandan genocide, Salgado experienced a period of profound personal crisis. He withdrew from photography and returned to Brazil, where he and his wife, Lélia Wanick Salgado, embarked on an ambitious reforestation project on his family's degraded farmland. This endeavour led to the founding of Instituto Terra in 1998, a non-profit organisation dedicated to environmental restoration and education. Over the years, the institute has planted millions of trees, revitalising the Atlantic Forest and serving as a model for sustainable development.
Salgado's contributions to photography and environmentalism earned him numerous accolades, including the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund Grant, the Royal Photographic Society's Centenary Medal, and the Praemium Imperiale. He was also a member of the French Academy of Fine Arts and an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2014, his life and work were chronicled in the documentary 'The Salt of the Earth,' co-directed by his son Juliano Ribeiro Salgado and filmmaker Wim Wenders.
In his later years, Salgado turned his lens towards the natural world, producing images that celebrated the planet's biodiversity and underscored the urgency of conservation. His 'Amazônia' project, published in 2021, is a testament to this shift, featuring photographs of the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous inhabitants. This body of work reflects his belief that humanity's fate is inextricably linked to the health of the environment.
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The National
31-07-2025
- The National
'I always think of moving back': Lebanese expats who left their hearts in Beirut
Four years ago today, Grace Dergham did the one thing she said she would never do. With her life packed in a single suitcase, she boarded a one-way flight from Lebanon in a move she described as "anything but easy". The 28 year old bid farewell to her parents with tears in her eyes and a heavy heart on July 31, lingering a little longer in their embrace, before rushing to catch the plane she desperately wanted to miss. It was deja vu for the departure terminal at Beirut International Airport. Emotional goodbyes had become the norm for many Lebanese families in 2021, with thousands of young people travelling to seek a future abroad amid their country's political paralysis, economic collapse and the final straw – the Beirut port blast. Hundreds of tonnes of ammonium nitrate improperly stored at Beirut port exploded on August 4, 2020, killing more than 220 people, injuring thousands and obliterating parts of the capital. While there are no accurate statistics, Information International, a research firm in Beirut, noted a mass exodus after the port explosion. Only way forward Ms Dergham was on her way to play tennis with her friends in Hamra, about 4km from the port, when the devastating explosion happened. "I saw a huge, pink cloud in the sky. Just as I pulled out my phone to take a picture, I felt the ground underneath me shake. Next thing I know, there was shattered glass everywhere and panicked calls from my family started flooding in," she told The National. "It was only later that reality set in and I understood the gravity of what happened." The architect is the youngest of four siblings and was the only child still living with her parents at the time of the blast. All three of her elder siblings had families and lives abroad, a path she had never considered, until then. Lebanon had been the only home Ms Dergham knew and she was particularly fond of its scenic landscapes, hospitable people and rich cultural heritage. In June 2021, a job opportunity came knocking on Ms Dergham's door and by July she had left Beirut with no return flight. The decision to pack up and leave came with an immense feeling of guilt that "eats at her every day", she said. "I didn't want to leave my parents alone but I was starting to lose hope in the country. I thought I could support them better from abroad and so leaving felt like the only way forward, even if it meant letting go of everything that felt like home," she added solemnly. Four years on, Ms Dergham has established a life in Abu Dhabi that she's grateful for, but every trip back to Beirut leaves her wondering if she made the right choice. "You can never have enough of Lebanon," she said. The country has been described as having a charm that attracts tourists and citizens alike. "Every time I say goodbye to my parents again, every time I have to leave home, I start reconsidering my options," she told The National. Economic collapse Her former colleague, Alex Habr, faces the same problem. The two worked together at a non-profit organisation that was involved in rebuilding homes destroyed by the Beirut blast. Mr Habr, 28, received a bachelor's degree in interior architecture from Milan. He moved back to Beirut for work in July 2020, but less than one month later, the port blast happened. Mr Habr was among scores of Lebanese who took to the streets in the days and weeks after August 4 to help clear up the rubble. He was working first-hand with NGOs to help families rebuild their homes, and now owns construction and contracting companies in the US. "Being on the streets after the blast and helping people slowly rebuild was the most fulfilling experience of my life but it also showed me how unstable our country really was," said Mr Habr. He described families who had been well-off, only to find themselves unable to afford renovations after losing their hard-earned savings in Lebanon's banking crisis. In late 2019, Lebanon began feeling the impact of one of the worst financial crises in history. The economic collapse pushed more than half the population into poverty, with the national currency losing more than 90 per cent of its value. The banking system was hard-hit, with years of unsustainable monetary policies catching up with the once-globally praised sector. Cash deposits in Lebanese banks vanished and many people lost their life savings. The ripple effects of the economic crisis, still felt to this day, are another reason that pushed many to leave, despite their love for their homeland. 'Lebanon is my favourite country, it's always on my mind, I always think about moving back home," said Mr Habr. "But Lebanon is unstable, there are no guarantees, I can't sacrifice what I have to move back." While he has no immediate plans to relocate to Beirut, Mr Habr still flew back for the summer. Even during crisis, expats often find their way home for the holidays, where they revel in the pristine beaches, scenic hikes, delicious feasts and parties till sunrise. 'It keeps me up at night' Nagham Abou Zeid had always dreamt of pursuing her postgraduate studies abroad but had plans to move back to Lebanon and teach at her alma mater, the Lebanese American University. The 24 year old is currently a candidate for a doctorate at the University of Tennessee in Nashville, where she is studying child psychology and development. However, her plans to move back home have fallen through. "I changed my mind after the economic collapse," Ms Abou Zeid told The National. "I saw my parents work really hard all their lives, only to lose everything overnight." Ms Abou Zeid's father had been in the Lebanese Army for 37 years. His retirement money, which had been stored in the bank "after years of serving the country", was all gone. The Beirut blast, which the postgraduate student escaped by mere chance, was the final nail in the coffin. "On the day of the blast, I had a therapist appointment in Achrafieh at exactly 6pm," she told The National. "I don't remember why I cancelled it, but luckily I did because the therapist's office was fully destroyed in the blast." Ms Abou Zeid also took to the streets as part of clear-up and recalls chaotic scenes she will never forget. Five years since the explosion, there has been no justice, no accountability and no answers. Political pushback on an investigation into the blast, which has largely been blamed on state negligence and mismanagement, has led many Lebanese diaspora to stand by their decision to stay away, despite how difficult it can be. "I don't regret my decision, it has come with a lot of pain, but I think it was the right thing to do," Ms Abou Zeid said. "I hate that I can't see my parents get older, and I hate that I miss out on milestones and special occasions. "I don't regret not wanting to go back. There's no stability, no safety, no security, but it's 100 per cent a really difficult decision that keeps me up at night."
Web Release
01-07-2025
- Web Release
St John's Co-Cathedral Launches 'Grand Ambitions' Exhibition Celebrating Architect Francesco Laparelli
The St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation proudly announces the opening of Grand Ambitions, a landmark exhibition that shines a spotlight on the visionary 16th-century Italian architect Francesco Laparelli da Cortona, whose Renaissance blueprint laid the foundations of Valletta. The exhibition will run until Friday 18th July 2025 in the Caravaggio Wing at St John's Co-Cathedral. On display are original drawings by Laparelli, including a rare map of Malta and four drawings of Valletta on loan from the Accademia Etrusca di Cortona, exhibited in Malta for the very first time. These works provide invaluable insight into Laparelli's conceptualisation of Valletta, not only as a formidable stronghold but as a harmoniously designed civic and religious centre. His assistant, Girolamo Cassar, later brought these plans to life, designing many of the city's iconic buildings including the Conventual Church of St John the Baptist. The exhibition was inaugurated by an extraordinary organ concert by Josep Solé Coll, the acclaimed chief organist of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. His spiritually charged performance set the tone for the exhibition's celebration of sacred architecture and cultural heritage, held within the stunning baroque surroundings of the Co-Cathedral. During the inauguration, Prof. Mons Emmanuel Agius, President of the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation, addressed the significance of Laparelli's legacy. As he adressed the attendees, Agius stated 'This exhibition is more than a tribute to Francesco Laparelli. It's a celebration of the enduring legacy of intelligent design, civic responsibility, and the power of imagination rooted in intellectual discipline. Laparelli's collaboration with the Knights of St John and his deep understanding of art and science of urban design single him out as not just an architect of stone and bastion, but as an architect of destiny.' Key collaborations included Adriana Alescio, Chief Curatorial and Conservation Officer of St John's Co-Cathedral, Mr Sandro Adario, a representative of the Laparelli family, and Dr Patrizia Rocchini, Head Librarian of the Biblioteca Comunale and of the Accademia Etrusca di Cortona. Together, they reflected on the enduring impact of Laparelli's architectural vision and the historical and cultural ties between Malta and Cortona. The evening concluded with a special lecture by Prof Conrad Thake, on Francesco Laparelli and the Genesis of Valletta, a leading scholar in Maltese architectural history. His insights into Laparelli's urban planning reinforce the exhibition's aim to reconnect the public with the roots of Valletta's cityscape. St John's Co-Cathedral continues to serve as a living monument, one that not only conserves Malta's rich heritage but actively engages with it through music, scholarship, and visual art. Entry to the exhibition is included with the purchase of a general admission ticket to St John's Co-Cathedral. This project is made by St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation, Visit Malta, Comune di Cortona, Accademia Entrusca di Cortona, Biblioteca del Comune di Cortona e dell'Accademia Etrusca, and the Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca e della Città di Cortona. For more information, visit:
Khaleej Times
02-06-2025
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Adha in UAE: Worker celebrations to be held across 10 locations
Celebrations dedicated to workers will commence across the UAE during the Eid Al Adha holiday. The events will include competitions, awards, and recreational sports tournaments and activities, as well as visits from Mohre leaders and partners to engage with workers. The events will take place across 10 locations, held under the slogan 'Eid with our workers: Joy and happiness'. Private sector companies and labour accommodation facilities that are interested in having their workers participate in the festivities must visit the website to select an appropriate celebration location. This is to facilitate smooth coordination and participation in the planned activities across the 10 designated sites nationwide. Activities are organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (Mohre), in collaboration with the Ministry's partners. 'The celebratory activities form part of our approach at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to spread happiness among workers with innovative initiatives that enhance their integration in the community and include them in national occasions and public holidays. We view workers as a cornerstone of the UAE's sustainable development and an integral part of the country's labour market,' Mohsin Ali Al Nassi, Mohre's Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection and Compliance, said. 'The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation takes every opportunity to reconnect with workers, in a bid to cement the values of cooperation and partnership," Dalal Alshehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Protection at MoHRE, said.
