Andrea Francolini is a Sydney-based photographer specialising in sailing photography, but every year he returns to Pakistan to photograph the country. He first visited the northern mountainous region of Pakistan a decade ago and says that experience was ‘mind-blowing’.
First visit to Pakistan
Francolini travels regularly for work, but it was a personal project and a surreal documentary about polo being played in the mountains that first drew him to Pakistan.
“Every photographer needs a project,” Francolini tells SBS Urdu. “My personal project was to make a photographic portfolio on traditional sports. I did happen to see a documentary about Polo up in the mountains, but I couldn’t find where it was. One day eventually I found out and the word ‘Pakistan’ came up.”
Travelling to and photographing Pakistan takes Francolini out of his personal and professional comfort zone, far from the oceans he is used to shooting nearby.
Nagar Valley, Pakistan. (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
“It is a challenge that I cherish a lot,” he says. “I grew up in Europe so I am used to seeing mountains 4,000 meters high but here [in Pakistan] we have mountains that are 8,000 meters high and it is normal. It is absolutely mind blowing.”
High altitude hospitality
Francolini was surprised by the degree of hospitality he found when visiting Pakistan, which differed to the impression he had formed of the country and its people through the media.
“When I went there for the first time, I was really amazed,” he says. “I was like, why everyone is thinking about the negatives when there is so much positive here… I had a great experience in Pakistan. It is a safe place. I am always with a local, so it’s always safe. Anything can happen, of course, but you know where not to go. A little bit of common sense helps.”
The photographer also found that his experiences debunked myths that he had heard about Pakistan, particularly to do with the treatment of children and girls.
“What I have noticed from day one is that girls go to schools in Pakistan,” he says. “The myth of them not going to school is not true, in the areas I have visited."
Local kids attending a class at school. Northern Pakistan. (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
Andrea Francolini provided furniture and books to students at local school in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
Francolini’s experiences in Pakistan inspired him to invest in the country’s education, and in turn its youth. He now contributes funds and learning resources to a local school in the Nagar valley, Gilgit-Baltistan.
“Every time I go somewhere around the world, I always give something back, but I wanted to do something that was more long lasting in Pakistan,” says Francolini.
An experience in an Australian shopping centre in 2010 also further inspired Francolini to pursue this charitable educational project.
“Two ladies wearing niqabs were looking at baby clothes and they were speaking in their language,” he says. “Obviously, what I could get out of it was maybe, ‘look how cute this pyjama is,’ or something like that. I wondered [what it would be like] if my daughter was born somewhere and couldn’t have an education as they have here in Australia.
“There is an expression in Italian that, every grain of sand makes the beach bigger. I think I am a grain of sand. I picked up the phone, and told my guide [in Pakistan] that I want to do this [educational project]. Tell me how much you cost, because I have to budget everything. He said, Andrea, no more business between us. Come home, I will help you. Just cover your expenses. And the rest is history.”
Al-Hadi Kids Academy, village of Akber Abad, northern Pakistan (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
“One time, I was transporting furniture with a local tractor driver, I only paid $20,” he says. “The next year, I had the same tractor driver with more furniture but he asked me for $10. I asked, ‘Last year you said $20, why $10 this year?’ He said, “This year, my kids are in your school and you are helping us.”
Enjoy more of Andrea Francolini's photography in Pakistan below:
Chalt, Nagar Valley, Pakistan (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
Bright Moon Model School, Bardass ((Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
Government Girl's Middle School, Pakistan (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
Bright Moon Model School, Bardass (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
Abieeha at Al-Hadi Kids Academy, village of Akber Abad, northern Pakistan (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
Sunrise Public School, Bar, Gilgit-Baltistan - Left to right: Farzana, Nadia, Nazia (Credit: Andrea Francolini) Source: Andrea Francolini
