"AIR, MEN, HAWKS”, Photographic exhibition on the Art of Falconry and Sailing by Serena Galvani, is on display in Kuwait City at the Al Funoon Hall in the context of the Italian Culture Week. Now in its second edition, the Italian Week is part of the cultural initiatives organized by the Embassy of Italy in Kuwait, and from 11 to 19 November, other events are scheduled such as the exhibition of the painter Carlo Cordua, the concerts of the RadioDervish band, the jazz group Paolo Fresu & Quartet and the singer Arisa.
On 2016 December XNUMX, Italy joined the seventeen nations that recognize the Art of Falconry as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity according to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Convention and in Kuwait Falconry has been practiced for centuries and considered a true art even in the present. . These are the basic reasons for the choice, by the Italian Embassy in Kuwait, to set up the photographic exhibition of Serena Galvani who, over the last few years, has taken exciting and original portraits of birds of prey and falconers at an international level.
Serena Galvani, as well as a photographer, is also a historical researcher and passionate owner and sailor of one of the most beautiful historic boats in the Mediterranean, ARIA (8m SI, 1935) recently victorious at the Barcolana Classic, the famous regatta for vintage boats held in Trieste last 7 October. Also in Trieste in 2015, for the celebrations of the 80th birthday of her boat, Serena Galvani organized "FALC-ON-ARIA" ®, an event that brought six falconers and an aquilier with their birds of prey aboard ARIA to celebrating the excellence of two historically recognized arts, the seafaring and falconry, still lives today. And in fact, in the exhibition there is no shortage of images taken on board ARIA that document this singular trip to sea.
In Italy, the photographs taken from "Air, Men, Hawks"By Serena Galvani were presented on 10 December 2016 in Asciano (Siena) in the splendid setting of the Crete Senesi as part of an international Falconry weekend that saw guests of honor and speakers Dr. Giorgia Romeo, Activities Office Hunting Region of Tuscany, Department of Grosseto, Gianluca Dall'Olio, National President of Federcaccia and the journalist Giulio Guazzini of RAI Sport.
The solo exhibition of Serena Galvani was subsequently set up from 21 February to 29 March 2017 at the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta (Malta) and was honored by the presence of many important personalities including the Ambassador of Italy in Malta Giovanni Umberto De Vito, the Spanish Ambassador Josè Pons Irazazàbal, the Marquis Daniel De Petri Testaferrata President of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John, Joseph Buttigieg of Heritage Malta, Cheryl Falzon and Maroma Camilleri of the National Library of Malta, the Honorary Consul of Malta for Emilia Romagna Enrico Gurioli and members of the Board Committee of the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
"My photography is the expression of the soul, it documents its motions and passions. It is the communication of that eloquent freedom that extends into the mind and dreams and, for this reason, it is never forced ... It exists in the infinite movement, just like life. " With these words, Serena Galvani describes her personal interpretation of photography, a common thread that has always inspired her commitment and is marked by unconditional spontaneity.
Biographical notes on the author
Serena Galvani, born in Bologna and graduated in Modern Literature, historical researcher, with her own Association, ARIE (Association for the Recovery of Vintage Boats), has been involved in safeguarding the Italian nautical heritage for twenty years. Owner of one of the most prestigious vintage boats in the Mediterranean, AIR (8 mt. YES from 1935), sailor, author of books and contributor to many nautical magazines, she also writes about Falconry, another great passion of hers. AIRF photojournalist and portrait and naturalist photographer, she lives and works in Bologna but travels the world dedicating many of her shots to Falconry.