Ruins are just rubble if we can’t imagine what they were before.
On 24th August 2016, at 3:39am, a town in central Italy by the name of Amatrice was struck by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake. Places called home and people called family were taken in one night, along with buildings that formed the fabric of this town’s ancient history.
Media coverage serves to show the extent of the damage, as it often does with events of this nature. For those of us without connection to Amatrice, our only association is destruction. It is difficult to create the necessary compassion, or hope for the town to be rebuilt, without context or the memories of Amatrice that its inhabitants now hold so close.
Homeland gives a glimpse of Amatrice as it once was, and what it can eventually become again. In the wake of disaster, architectural history has been gathered along with expressions of love for this town that have been shared through social media.
Translated into English, this town’s story is brought a little closer to home. To celebrate life, rather that focus on ruin, is the only way for Amatrice to return to beauty.
For use of historical information, archive images and personal memoirs, special thanks to:
Amatrice Turismo
Commune di Amatrice
I Doveri Dell’Uomo
Instituto Luce Cinecitta
Italy Magazine
Radio Amatrice [Facebook group]
Sei di Amatrice [Facebook group]