4/09/24

Every afternoon men gather in the town square to socialize and play cards. As the evening wears on, beer and snacks come out and animated conversations are punctuated with a great deal of laughter. The square is an important gathering place and in the summertime it fills to overflow. This town of 440 swells to over 2000, and there is a tourist center with a restaurant and bungalows just down the road on the shore of the lake.
As I’ve come to know the people of this town, I am increasingly grateful for their hospitality.
A common discussion when I’m around revolves around my history and who might be related to me. It’s a throughly embracing effort of friendship and family.
I met with Pio in the afternoon, he agreed to let me make his portrait. His knowledge of my family is a wellspring. He took me to where my grandmother lived. And told me how my grandmother’s father would carry his father on his back, down to the courtyard in front of their house each morning, and each evening, back on his back and up the stairs to the house.
There is a photograph attached to the side of the building and I saw another on our way up. They are part of a permanent exhibition, 'The Infinite' by Abruzzo photographer Carmine Frigioni.@carminefrigionifotografia