Common goal: youth, shots, and revolution.

A journey through photography, inclusion, and community

The beating heart of Capturing Voices was the Youth Exchange, an intense and transformative experience that saw twenty young people from Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Greece immerse themselves in the reality of Casapesenna. During this week, the project intertwined photography, intercultural dialogue, and social commitment, transforming visual storytelling into a powerful tool for change.

The welcome took place at Il Paguro Ostello, a property confiscated from organized crime and now a symbol of rebirth. Here, participants discovered the history of the structure and its role in the community, understanding how spaces like this can become instruments of social change. The international volunteers living and working at the center shared their experiences, showing how Il Paguro is more than just a hostel: it is a home for change.

The exchange program alternated moments of technical training in photography with experiences exploring the territory. Through practical sessions, participants learned the basics of lighting, composition, and post-production, while interactive workshops guided them to reflect on how photography can challenge stereotypes and tell the truth about a place.

The days were marked by group activities and practical outdoor photography sessions. The historic center, the squares, the faces of the community: every detail became part of a collective narrative where the perspectives of young photographers blended with those of Casapesenna’s residents. Each shot was a dialogue, a fragment of a larger story.

Visits to local partners further enriched the experience. Participants had the opportunity to learn about Nuova Cucina Organizzata (NCO), a social restaurant that offers job opportunities to people with disabilities; Arte Espressa, a cultural center dedicated to art and literature; and the Don Diana Museum, a memorial site dedicated to innocent victims of the mafia. These encounters reinforced the message of Capturing Voices: the community has an identity that goes beyond stereotypes, and each image can convey its complexity.

At the end of the exchange, each participant selected their best photographs in preparation for the final exhibition. Each shot told not only about a place but also about an emotion—a connection with the community. The journey through photography was not just technical but profoundly human.