Muhammed Muheisen at Siena International Photo Awards
Siena, Italy
September 2025
From September 25 to November 23, 2025, the historic city of Siena, Italy, is home to the Siena International Photo Awards (SIPA), a festival that brings together photography and storytelling from around the world.
Legacy Exhibition — Life & War
On September 25, Muhammed Muheisen inaugurated his legacy exhibition ‘Life & War’ at Centro Culturale in Sovicille, attended by the Mayor of Sovicille Mr. Giuseppe Gugliotti, an international audience, and members of the press.
The exhibition showcases over twenty years of work, portraying the lives of children and families living in the shadow of conflict. Beyond images of hardship, the collection reveals resilience, courage, and moments of hope. Muhammed Muheisen’s legacy exhibition, “Life & War,” will remain open to the public until November 23, 2025, offering visitors a chance to pause and reflect on the human stories behind the photographs.
My Journey
On September 26, Muheisen delivered a public talk, “My Journey,” at the historic Teatro dei Rinnovati in Siena. He spoke about the people behind his images, reminding the audience: “Behind the word ‘refugees’, there are people who were forced to leave their homes and hopes, their memories and families behind in search of a new, safe home.”
He emphasized that photography is not only about recording moments, but also about giving a voice to those who are often unheard: “I don’t just pass by and take pictures, I spend time, I invest, I get to know the people that I photograph and aim to make a difference, big or small—at least we start somewhere.”
Muheisen shared personal stories from his work across conflict zones, highlighting the resilience, courage, and humanity of children and families caught in crises. He described the transformative power of witnessing their lives firsthand, explaining how moments of joy, play, and hope often shine brightest even in the darkest circumstances.
The talk, attended by a large international audience, reflected Muheisen’s belief in photography as a universal language and a force for good. He urged the audience to look beyond headlines and statistics, and to connect with the human stories behind them.
During the festival’s award ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, Muheisen served as a jury member and guest of honor. His presence highlighted his ongoing role in recognizing and celebrating powerful visual storytelling.
The opening days of the festival were marked by strong media coverage and full audiences, underlining the impact of the stories Muheisen brings forward. His exhibition and talk became central moments in Siena’s cultural calendar this autumn.
Life & War photo exhibition
Location: Centro Culturale “La Tinaia” | Via dei Macelli, 1 – Sovicille
Period: September 27th – November 23rd
Opening Time: Friday: 03:00 pm-07:00 pm | Saturday-Sunday: 10:00 am-07:00 pm | Holidays: 10:00 am-07:00 pm
