Celebrating Women February 29—September 7, 2008 Does your culture hold contests, solemn religious rites, or raucous parties to celebrate different aspects of femininity? Many cultures do. Over forty vivid color photographs by renowned photographer Paola Gianturco portray six festivals throughout the world that honor female ideals, heroines, and goddesses. These public spectacles celebrate women as kind-hearted, ferocious in battle, courageous in the face of social injustice, or simply young and beautiful and fancy-free. In Swaziland, young women dance for two days straight at the queen’s residence to celebrate their virginity. In Calcutta, worshippers tend elaborate shrines made of paper with garlands of marigolds to honor a fierce warrior goddess. Swedish girls celebrate midwinter Christian and pagan traditions, and girls in Poland rejoice in midsummer with wildflower wreaths, bonfires, and late-night boating. Divorcées and widows among mountain peoples of Morocco initiate marriages at a once-a-year market. And in Brazil, female descendents of a covert 19th century anti-slavery sisterhood mount a joyous festival that combines Catholic and African religious traditions. This exhibition was created and organized by Paola Gianturco. Sponsored by: Related Images To view a larger image, click on an image thumbnail.