TITLE: Purim in Stamford Hill

Stamford Hill might look as any other North London borough. When I moved here few years ago I had no idea that its redbrick homes and leafy backstreets were home to the largest Haredi community in Europe. Men are usually dressed in traditional black garbs, they have long beards and unique sidelocks, while women fulfill the biblical commandment of being fruitful and multiply. Children are everywhere, and the community is growing fast. Cultural diversity intrigues me, I am fascinated by the habits of this community. Through photography I have found my own way of interacting with them, translating this attraction into images. These pictures were taken in March 2017 during Purim, a traditional Jewish feast that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people during the ancient Persian Empire. At Purim, most members of the Haredi community wear masks and costumes, and you can feel a very special and unique atmosphere in the streets of this neighborhood.

AUTHOR: Mattia Corato (Italy)

I was born in Milano back in 1983 and fell in love with analog photography when I was a young teenager. Today I live in London and work in the sustainable investing industry. My passion for photography is still alive and growing every day. I am particularly interested in street and documentary photography. I love the look and the feeling of analog pictures and the whole emotional process around it. Shooting film gives me special satisfaction and happiness.