Barbagia is a large mountainous area in the central-eastern part of Sardinia, the Italian island that has extraordinary nature.
There are also many isolated villages where people still follow and respect ancient traditions. They live out mostly of sheep-farming and horse-breeding. In the village of Sedilo, every year, a hundred of the most daring and brave horse riders participate in a wild and unrestrained race: the S’ardia. They don’t race for money or glory but to show their devotion to a warrior saint, Saint Constantine. Actually he is not a proper saint, according to the Vatican Church that never approved him; but he is to Sedilo’s people, who celebrate his deeds. Riders run down the hill at full gallop, pounding towards the narrow entrance below the Arc of Constantine at full speed amongst rifle shots and clouds of dust.
About Mattia Vacca
Mattia Vacca is an italian photojournalist and documentary photographer born in 1978. He graduated with a BA in Science of Communication and a MS in Cinema and Journalism. He was selected for two editions of the Masterclass FSS Film Studies and Documentary Filmmaking in Locarno. Since 2006 he covers daily news events in northern Italy for Corriere della Sera. His work has been pubblished on major Italian daily newspapers and internationals magazines. His work has been honored with numerous awards, including Sony World Photography Awards, Royal Photographic Society Awards, Unesco Humanity Photo Awards, Renaissance Prize, New York Photo Awards, International Photography Lucie Awards, Foto 8 Summershow, Phodar Biennial, Hasselblad Masters. [Official Website]
