PERSONAL ONGOING PROJECT
The French island of Corsica has been a separate territory for centuries. As the first modern republic of the 18th century to claim its independence, Corsica cultivates a very strong cultural identity. Since the 1970s, the "riacquistu", a socio-political movement claiming the Corsican language, culture, and history has increasingly been affirming its differences to France. In a time where semi-autonomous territories tend to claim their identity and independence despite a globalizing society, how does the Corsican youth carry their cultural heritage and what does it mean to them to be Corsican?
Today, the 15-30 age group represents 16.7% of Corsica's population. They are the island's future, as well as the next guardians of its traditions. The Corsican language and customs play a key part in Corsica. This is passed on mostly orally from one generation to the other. While young Corsicans are in the process of discovering and understanding who they are as a person, they also face a choice between tradition and modernity when it comes to forging their own identity within the Corsican culture.
After spending every childhood summer in Corsica, I decided to go back as an adult to understand who had shaped my summers: Stefan, Celia, Remy, Pierre, Thomas, and the others, starting with those from a few years ago to the ones I have met recently since starting this photographic process.
Until now they may have benefitted from the Corsican identity and cultural heritage by living there; however, are they accepting this heritage or trying to break away from it? Which role do they wish to play in the future Corsican society deeply rooted in its traditions and yet trying to emancipate itself. The stories I hear are all related to my experience as a child in Corsica, the visual story I aim to convey is a new adventure into unchartered waters. It was one late evening in the little village of Conca, that someone whispered into my ear "At the tip of the Ortu, even the mountains meet."
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