GU.PHO. Vernacular Photography International Festival – On Ethics
The first international vernacular photography festival in Europe
About GU.PHO.
A unique festival in Europe
The GU.PHO. Vernacular Photography International Festival is the first festival in Europe entirely dedicated to vernacular photography: those anonymous, domestic, and archival images that are not created as works of art but that, rediscovered and reinterpreted, tell collective and private memories. It takes place in Guiglia, a small village in the Apennines in the province of Modena, in Emilia-Romagna, and has chosen the evocative Castle of Guiglia, overlooking the Panaro valley, as its venue.
The 2026 edition: "On Ethics"
The fifth edition, scheduled from June 18 to 26, 2026, is titled "On Ethics" and offers a critical reflection on the ethics of the gaze: is our way of looking ethical? Through archives, vernacular photography, and artistic practices, the festival opens a space for questioning the relationships between images, power, consent, context, and responsibility, investigating the legitimacy of using others' images and visual materials.
Exhibitions and artists
The edition involves twelve Italian and international artists and collectives with a path of ten exhibitions. Among the announced projects are "Automotive Monogamy" by Matteo Ferrari, "I'm Showing you How Big the Sky is" by Martina Bacigalupo, "Lidomania" by Manuela Nebuloni, and "Picture Library" by Joachim Schmid. Among the authors and collectives present are also Hoda Afshar, Jean-Marie Donat, and Salome Erni.
Talks, round tables, and workshops
The program is completed by a rich calendar of meetings: talks, round tables, and screenings with prominent voices in photographic culture, including Michele Smargiassi ("There are no private photographs"), Erik Kessels, Fabio Severo, Davide Tranchina, Luca Panaro, and Sergio Smerieri. There are also practical sessions, from the workshop "Rethinking the Archive" with Martina Bacigalupo to the reading circle "Photobooks for Breakfast", up to the children's workshop "Vernacoliamo!".
Hours and format
For 2026, the festival adopts a new format extended over nine consecutive days, with openings also during the week. The planned opening hours are 10:00 AM-11:00 PM from June 19 to 21 and 7:00 PM-11:00 PM from June 22 to 26. The event is organized by the Municipality of Guiglia in collaboration with the association GU.PHO. – Center for Vernacular Photography APS.
Why it's worth it
More than just a photographic review, GU.PHO. is an event for study, exhibition, and publishing that has managed to place a small village in the Modenese Apennines on the map of contemporary European photography. An opportunity to discover a visual language often overlooked and to reflect, in a intimate and charming setting, on the meaning and limits of our gaze.
GU.PHO. — edition 2026
2026 Edition – "On Ethics"
The fifth edition of the festival, titled "On Ethics", takes place from June 18 to 26, 2026, at the Castle of Guiglia with a new format extended over nine consecutive days. The theme invites reflection on the legitimacy of using others' images, investigating the relationships between images, power, consent, context, and responsibility.
Program
Twelve Italian and international artists and collectives are involved, with ten exhibitions and a packed schedule of events.
- Exhibitions: "Automotive Monogamy" by Matteo Ferrari, "I'm Showing you How Big the Sky is" by Martina Bacigalupo, "Lidomania" by Manuela Nebuloni, "Picture Library" by Joachim Schmid; also featuring Hoda Afshar, Jean-Marie Donat, and Salome Erni.
- Talks and round tables: with Michele Smargiassi, Erik Kessels, Fabio Severo, Davide Tranchina, Luca Panaro, and Sergio Smerieri.
- Workshops and practical sessions: "Rethinking the Archive" with Martina Bacigalupo, the reading circle "Photobooks for Breakfast", and the children's workshop "Vernacoliamo!".
Opening hours: 10:00 AM-11:00 PM from June 19 to 21, 7:00 PM-11:00 PM from June 22 to 26.
Programme GU.PHO. 2026
- Exhibitions (ten): "Automotive Monogamy" (Matteo Ferrari), "I'm Showing you How Big the Sky is" (Martina Bacigalupo), "Lidomania" (Manuela Nebuloni), "Picture Library" (Joachim Schmid), with works also by Hoda Afshar, Jean-Marie Donat, and Salome Erni.
- Talks and round tables: "There are no private photographs" (Michele Smargiassi), presentations by Erik Kessels, Fabio Severo, Davide Tranchina, Luca Panaro, and Sergio Smerieri.
- Screenings on the theme of vernacular and archival photography.
- Workshop: "Rethinking the Archive" with Martina Bacigalupo.
- Reading circle: "Photobooks for Breakfast".
- Children's workshop: "Vernacoliamo!".
Highlights GU.PHO. 2026
- Fifth edition on the theme "On Ethics": the ethics of the gaze and the use of others' images.
- Twelve Italian and international artists and collectives, ten exhibitions.
- New format extended over nine consecutive days (June 18-26, 2026).
- Workshop "Rethinking the Archive" with Martina Bacigalupo and children's workshop "Vernacoliamo!".
Prices GU.PHO. 2026
Practical information — GU.PHO.
Where
Castle of Guiglia, Guiglia (MO), Emilia-Romagna. The village is located in the Modenese Apennines, in the Terre di Castelli area.
How to get there
By car from Modena (about 35 km), take the SP4 Fondovalle Panaro towards Vignola and then head up towards Guiglia. The nearest train station is Vignola (Modena-Vignola line), from which you can continue by bus or car.
Hours
Opening from June 18 to 26, 2026: 10:00 AM-11:00 PM (June 19-21) and 7:00 PM-11:00 PM (June 22-26). It is advisable to check the updated calendar of exhibitions, talks, and workshops on the official website.
Information
Official website gupho.art, email [email protected]. Updates on Instagram and Facebook (@gu.pho.photofestival).
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Where does it take place — GU.PHO.
Castello di Guiglia
Castello di Guiglia, 41052 Guiglia