Siena Art Photo Travel

Siena hosts the Grand Finale of one of the most anticipated photo events in 2015

From 31 October 2015 to 30 November 2015

It is not easy to capture the feeling of travelling, the core of a distant culture or the breathtaking beauty of nature in one single shot. This is exactly what is going to happen from October 31st to November 30th in the heart of Tuscany at the Siena Art Photo Travel. 

The happening - set in beautiful location of Siena - is the final act of a series of initiatives linked to the Siena International Photo Awards (SIPA), which is with no doubt one of the most important photo contests in Italy and one of the most interesting events in Siena this year. The numbers related to the contest, 2,500 participants coming from over 100 countries and over 15,000 photos registered, are impressive and make it, already from the first edition, the most international among Italian photography contests and one of the biggest cultural events in Siena.

A selection of these images will be displayed throughout the month of November in the “Beyond the Lens” Siena photography exhibition hosted in various interesting locations scattered throughout the city centre. The historical importance of Siena makes each one of the locations, such as the National History Museum of the Siena Sciences Academy and the palace of the SieNnese Venerable Confraternity of Misericordia, the perfect frame for an unforgettable artistic experience.

The photographs are classified in ten themes (Travel, Food, Nature, Monochrome, Architecture, Wildlife, People, Sport, Colour and Storyboard) corresponding to ten respective awards to be given during the SIPA Award Ceremony on October 31st in the Rozzi theatre. The jury, featuring important National Geographic journalists and world famous photographers, will also award the “Photographer of the Year - SIPA Contest 2015” prize to the overall winner.

The Gala Dinner will take place on the same night and it will be hosted in the suggestive scenario of Piazza del Campo, the medieval square famous throughout the world for being the setting of “Il Palio”, the traditional race horse held twice a year since the Middle Age, which can be considered the true symbol of the city of Siena.

From October 31st to November 2nd Siena will also host four important workshops focused on various aspects of photography. The courses will be held by international photographers such as Tomasz Tomaszewski, GMB Akash and Bruno de Faveri.

Tomasz Tomaszewski is a Polish photographer specialized in press photography, who has held many individual exhibitions throughout the world. He is also and a long-time contributor of the National Geographic, magazine in which 18 of his photo essays have been published.

The curriculum of Bangladeshi photographer GMB Akash is just as impressing. Akash has become one of the most important socially engaged photographers documenting the lives of socially isolated groups in his home country and in the rest of Asia. He received more than 80 international awards and had his works published in many of the major international magazines.

Bruno De Faveri, an Italian travel photographer, contributor of many Italian and foreign magazines, photo agencies and organizations, will hold two more workshops. His portfolio includes photos from different places around the world, from Tanzania and India to his hometown, Tortona.

However, Siena Art Photo Travel is not only a photography event. During the first weekend of the exhibition, the festival will organize a number of interesting tours, which will be perfect occasions to discover the beauty of one of the most visited regions in the world. Siena is in fact located in one of the richest areas in terms of both artistic and natural wealth.

On the topic of nature, the Chianti Hill Area is of utmost importance. Here one of the finest wines in the world is produced and inspiring many photographers every year due to its beautiful landscapes, small villages and medieval castles.

A real must see is also the wonderful Val D'Orcia, UNESCO World Heritage since 2004, another world famous wine-producing area with amazing open vistas in which agriculture meets nature in a perfect match.

As already mentioned, Siena itself is a casket of medieval wonders. From the romanesque-gothic Cathedral - which contains the notable pulpit by Nicola Pisano - to Palazzo Salimbeni, a gothic styled urban palace located in the piazza of the same name, the historically remarkable places in the city centre are too many to be listed and a great occasion to discover them is our guided tour of Siena. Along with a guided walk around the city, you will also have the chance to attend a short course to learn how to make one of the most peculiar Italian products: the ice cream!

Whether you are an amateur photographer or a simple culture lover, Siena Art Photo Travel is an unmissable event and by booking one of our hotels in Siena you will be able to spend a few days losing yourself in the art, culture, nature and cuisine of one the most beautiful regions in the world.

EVENTS SIENA 2015 presents Siena Art Photo Travel

Location: Siena

Date: 31 October to 30 November 2015