Italian photographer Cinzia Laliscia’s series, Finally I Can Go (‘Finalmente Posso Andare’) is a visual tale influenced by the pandemic and personal loss. Laliscia lost her grandmother and her aunt in early 2020, as Italy went into its first Covid-19 lockdown. Though the virus didn’t directly cause their deaths, it became a huge obstacle between her and her family. Laliscia recalls: ‘I lost them, but it’s like I couldn’t live that loss, I couldn’ t process what was happening. I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye in person even if my grandma was just half an hour away from me.’

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CINZIA LALISCIA TEXT BY ESİN ÇALIŞKAN

Finally I Can Go reflects Laliscia’s long interest in exploring the relationship between memories and places. She sees photography as a medium that captures not only the present, but also echoes of the past — faded figures, dark greys and shadows. Within this visual maze, poignant moments resonate deeply, evoking the uncanny, familiar sensation of meeting lost souls. Her powerful storytelling earned the project first place at the 2024 212 International Photography Competition.