Inside the Ritual: Palio di Siena

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Tiago Bonilha, Italy
• Date of Photograph
  16/08/2025
• Instagram
  @Tiago_bonilha_photographer

During the Palio di Siena in August 2025, a young woman follows the race on her mobile phone from the steps of the Duomo, surrounded by contradaioli. Across eight chronologically sequenced frames, her expressions shift from restrained anticipation to overwhelming joy, mirroring the unfolding tension of the event. The series explores how a historic public ritual is experienced on an intimate emotional level, revealing the personal intensity at the heart of a collective tradition.

Tiago Bonilha is a Brazilian photographer based in Italy since 2001, with over 25 years of experience in photojournalism and documentary work. His practice focuses on contemporary rituals, social dynamics and visual narratives that unfold over time. He has covered political events, cultural traditions and major international sports competitions, bridging reportage and authorial storytelling.