Sliema – St Julian’s Promenade and Mediterranean Conference Centre



Selected images from 30 years of work by internationally known photojournalist Reza on display outdoors and indoors in Malta, from 1-30 July 2007.

Endorsed by UNESCO, this is the first international exhibition in Malta by Reza, whose images have appeared on the covers of 25 National Geographic magazines (more than any other photographer in the world) and captivated a wide audience internationally (Crossing Destinies, held outdoors in Paris, attracted more than one million visitors). Born in Tabriz, Iran, in 1952, Reza has spent much of his career photographing the world’s trouble spots. But what is remarkable about his work is that, while capturing conflict and suffering, he also manages to capture beauty, humanity, tenderness and hope.

Awarded the ‘Chevalier de L’Ordre National du Merite’ (France’s highest civilian honour) in November of 2005 for distinguished services in a public or private capacity by the former French President Jacques Chirac, Reza disdains publicity and continues to speak out on causes and issues through his images.

But there is more to the man than his camera. Reza is a founder of AINA ‘Mirror’, a non-profit international organisation dedicated to the education of children and the promotion of cultural renewal in the emerging of the civil society within developing countries.

In assembling his latest exhibition, ‘One World, One Tribe’, (which incidentally is the largest photographic show ever mounted locally) Reza strives to depict the human being as an entity from birth to death through subjects spanning all ethnic groups, races and nations to demonstrate the commonality of the human race.

In the words of Eman Pulis, a Diplomatic Studies student himself, “The exhibition is aimed at promoting cultural diversity. The title in itself sheds light on the fact that this showcase is about the exposition of international conflict, about hope for peace and security. ‘Why Malta?’ some might wonder. Predictably enough, Malta boasts an ideal location to stage this presentation due to its geo-political position in the Mediterranean and its neutrality in situations of conflict”.

Every picture in ‘One World, One Tribe’ tells a story: from one of a group of Mujahedeen, whom Reza followed as they prepared an attack on Kabul, to a picture of children mimicking the photographer at the end of an exhausting day in the war-torn country. These and other beautiful, powerful images will be displayed in large format outdoors at the Sliema – St. Julian’s promenade to spectacular effect between the 1st and 9th July. The exhibits will also be open for the public between the 14th and 31st July at the MCC. They will be for sale, with proceeds going to Aina, a non-profit foundation established by Reza for the development of independent media and expression in Afghanistan, and also towards Reaching Out, a local NGO. In addition, documentaries about the photographer will be screened daily at the MCC, Valletta.

Reza implores people to ask themselves "Why?" a little more often. In so doing, everybody would have a clearer understanding of what is happening in the world. This, after all, is the message behind One World, One Tribe.

Organisers Marshall-Pulis would like to thank their partners, the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, UNESCO, the U.S. Embassy for Malta, KSU, Vodafone and Chemimart for their valuable unconditional support.

One World One Tribe

Opening dates and hours:

Sliema – St Julian’s Promenade:
1 – 9 July 17:00 – 00:00

Mediterranean Conference Centre:
14 – 31 July all day.
Films will be screened daily at 19:00.

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Related links:
Learn about Aïna, the organization founded by Reza, to foster independent media at www.ainaworld.org

See more of Reza's work at www.webistan.com