Arles Photography Festival 2025: Celebrating Latin American Narratives

The 2025 edition of Les Rencontres d'Arles, recognized as the world's oldest photography festival, is currently showcasing a diverse array of works that highlight the rich narratives emerging from Latin America. Running until October 5, this year's festival explores various themes, including social identity, cultural heritage, and the pressing issues facing Indigenous communities.

This year's festival features notable works such as Musuk Nolte's "The Belongings of the Air," which reflects the Shawi community's worldview through ethereal light boxes that depict Indigenous perspectives on nature and spirituality. Nolte, who grew up immersed in Indigenous culture due to his anthropologist mother, uses photography to convey the essence of experiences he encountered while participating in ayahuasca rituals in the Peruvian Amazon.

"The Belongings of the Air" is not just a collection of photographs; it is an exploration of cultural memory and the invisible connections between people and their environments. According to Dr. Laura Martinez, a cultural anthropologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, "Nolte's work transcends traditional photography, engaging viewers in a dialogue about identity and belonging within Indigenous cultures" (Martinez, 2025).

In addition to Nolte's work, the festival also presents "An Assembly of Sceptics," featuring artists like Bolivian-Algerian Daniel Mebarek, who created a mobile photo studio in El Alto, Bolivia. Mebarek's portraits capture intimate moments of joy and vulnerability, reflecting a desire for visibility among marginalized communities. "Photography serves as a tool for empowerment and self-expression in these communities," states Mebarek (Mebarek, 2025).

The festival's focus on Latin American photography is particularly timely, coinciding with the Brazil-France cultural year. This connection is further showcased through the work of Claudia Andujar, an activist photographer renowned for her long-standing dedication to the Yanomami Indigenous people of Brazil. Her exhibition, "In the Place of the Other," highlights her early works, showcasing her evolution as an artist and activist. "Andujar’s photography serves as a testament to the resilience and struggles of Indigenous peoples in Brazil," asserts Dr. Julia Santos, an art historian at São Paulo University (Santos, 2025).

Another significant exhibition, "Portraitists of the Hill," celebrates the vibrant life in Belo Horizonte's Aglomerado da Serra favela. Photographers João Mendes and Afonso Pimenta document the community's history, illustrating the joy and challenges faced by its residents over the decades. Their photographs capture everyday moments, such as children’s birthday parties and family gatherings, emphasizing the humanity and spirit of a community often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

The festival is not limited to Latin American themes; it also features works by international artists. For instance, the Australian exhibition "On Country" includes poignant photographs that explore the cultural significance of land and identity among the First Peoples of Australia. As climate change continues to threaten indigenous lands globally, these exhibitions highlight the urgent need for a deeper understanding of cultural connections to the environment.

The 2025 Les Rencontres d'Arles not only showcases stunning photography but also encourages critical discussions about representation, identity, and the power of visual storytelling. The festival serves as a platform for artists to express their narratives while fostering a greater appreciation for diverse cultures and histories. As the festival continues, it remains a vital space for dialogue and reflection on the roles of art and photography in contemporary society.