On October 10, 2023, the inauguration ceremony of the photo exhibition “O Corpo da Mãe” and the screening of the documentary “Barrigas” took place, both produced by the Italian visual artist Angelo Ghidoni, known as Aghi. This event was part of an emergency project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The event was organized by AICS in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Maputo and was held at the renowned Teatro-Scala in Maputo, Mozambique. It brought together more than 100 guests, including government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, United Nations agencies, students, journalists, and others. The photo exhibition will be open to visitors from October 10 to October 17, 2023.
The ceremony was opened by the Italian Ambassador to Mozambique, Gianni Bardini, who emphasized the deep history of Italian cooperation in Mozambique, benefiting the country and the disadvantaged. He stressed the importance of sharing stories to “draw attention and contribute to a fair and sustainable world,” highlighting how these narratives also demonstrate “the professionalism, commitment, and dedication of the Italian cooperation.”
Paolo Sertoli, the Head of the AICS Office in Maputo, contextualized how these artistic products represented an initiative that played a significant role in improving the living conditions of people affected by cyclones Idai and Kenneth, benefiting approximately 400,000 people, including Rebeca, Mariazinha, and Julieta, who were the protagonists of the documentary “Barrigas.” Referring to the upcoming celebration of International Day of Rural Women (October 15), Paolo Sertoli appealed to everyone present to work together to address the many challenges that rural women face.
The inauguration continued with a visit to the photo exhibition “O Corpo da Mãe,” which consisted of 17 black and white photographs. In this exhibition, the artist Aghi explored the physical bond between mother and child in a journey that involved the three target provinces of the intervention in Mozambique: Cabo Delgado, Manica, and Sofala.
The event proceeded with the screening of the documentary “Barrigas,” set in a Casa Mãe Espera in the province of Manica. These facilities, located near healthcare centers, play a crucial role in promoting safe childbirth, thus contributing to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality. The documentary gave voice to the life stories of three women in the final days of their pregnancies.
After the screening of the documentary, there was a space for dialogue and reflection between the artist Aghi and the audience, which highlighted the important social role of the film, even though it focused on highly personal life stories. The artist concluded his participation with the sincere desire to share the documentary soon with the protagonists Rebeca, Mariazinha, and Julieta.
You can watch the documentary at the following link.
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