Trieste Photo Days has announced an exciting new open call for photographers titled Canticle of the Creatures, a project inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi’s celebrated hymn. This initiative, launched in collaboration with the Order of Friars Minor – OFM Fraternitas Foundation, the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical Antonianum University, GPIC Friars Minor of Italy and Albania, with the co-organization of the Municipality of Assisi, invites photographers from all over the world to explore themes of creation, harmony, and human impact through their lenses.

A Celebration of Nature and Creation

The open call commemorates the VIII Centenary of Saint Francis’s Canticle of the Creatures and seeks to honor its spirit by showcasing the beauty and virtues of creation while addressing the wounds caused by human influence. Participants are encouraged to reflect on themes such as fraternity, forgiveness, and humanity’s relationship with nature.

Themes to Explore

Photographers can interpret the Canticle through nine thematic lenses:

• Altissimu, onnipotente, bon Signore – The relationship with God, seen as transcendent, is expressed through moments of prayer and celebrations.
• Brother Sun – The light and energy of the sun, a symbol of vitality and splendor.
• Sister Moon and the Stars – The charm of the night illuminated by the stars and the moon.
• Brother Wind and through the air and cloud and clear and all weather – The wind and the atmospheric changes that transform the landscape during the seasons.
• Sister Water – Water, a precious source, between beauty and fragility, from the flow of rivers to the risk of waste and pollution.
• Brother Fire – The strength of fire, light in the dark and power, sometimes destructive.
• Our sister mother Earth – Nature in its fruits, flowers and landscapes, but also in the signs of human exploitation.
• Those who forgive for your love – The value of forgiveness and peace in human relations.
• Our sister bodily death – Death, rarely represented, as a photographic challenge to reflect on its meaning.

Photographers can submit individual images or complete portfolios inspired by these themes.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Selected works will be featured in prestigious exhibitions across Italy, including a showcase at Palazzo Frumentario in Assisi (September 1–21, 2025) and traveling exhibitions in other cities. Additionally, these works will be part of a major international exhibition at the 12th Trieste Photo Days, scheduled for October 24–26, 2025. The festival will include lectures, special guests, and curated displays in historic venues.

How to Participate

Participation is free for all photographers worldwide. Submissions can include single photos or full projects/portfolios. Interested artists must register or log in via Exhibit Around’s user area my.dotlogic.net to submit their works under Canticle of the Creatures. Detailed submission guidelines are provided on the call page here.

Awards

The project offers several prestigious awards:

• Best Author: Includes a three-night stay in Trieste during Trieste Photo Days 2025, guest-of-honor status at the Authors’ Dinner, an exclusive artwork by Giorgio Celiberti, 25.000 PhotoPoints, a digital certificate, social media promotion, and access to a photography masterclass.
• Honorable Mentions: Invitation to the Authors’ Dinner, a silver seal by Giorgio Celiberti, 10.000 PhotoPoints, and social media visibility.
• Special Recognitions: Includes a bronze seal by Giorgio Celiberti and 5.000 PhotoPoints.

Deadline

Submissions close on May 4th, 2025, offering photographers ample time to craft their interpretations inspired by Saint Francis’s timeless hymn.

This open call represents a unique opportunity for photographers to merge artistic creativity with profound spiritual themes while gaining international exposure.

Open Call

Canticle of the Creatures

SCOPRI DI PIÙ