Emiliano Zingale is a talented photographer with a deep-rooted passion for capturing the essence of football culture. Based in Catania on Sicily’s east coast for the past 13 years, Zingale has turned his creative focus to the vibrant and fiercely loyal fans of Catania Football Club (Catania FC), particularly the passionate ultras of the Curva Nord. Speaking with Lower Block, we explore his journey from Piazza Armerina, a small Sicilian town, to becoming a dedicated chronicler of the football fervour in Catania.
Catania FC, with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1908 as Associazione Sportiva pro Educazione Fisica, has faced numerous challenges over the years, including several dissolutions and re-foundations, the latest occurring in 2022. Despite these setbacks, the club remains a symbol of pride for the people of Catania, who fill the stands of the Stadio Angelo Massimino with their unwavering passion and support. As the team fought its way back to Serie C, Zingale was there with his camera, documenting the emotions, the unity, and the committed spirit of the Rossazzurri faithful.
“Despite the most fashionable and transient aspects of football, there are still sides to this sport that are all about real-life hustle and passion, and this is what I try to capture – before it is no more.”
Emiliano Zingale
In this Q&A, Zingale shares his unique perspective on the intersection of football culture and photography, his experiences on the Curva Nord, and the connection he feels to both the city of Catania and its resilient fanbase. From his initial love for Inter Milan to the irresistible pull of the Catania colours, his journey has evolved into a project that goes beyond photography – it’s a tribute to the passion of a city and its football heritage.
Emiliano Zingale: I’m from Piazza Armerina, a small town in the centre of Sicily, but I’ve been living in Catania for the past 13 years. I’m a management Engineer mainly working in Logistics, and a freelance photographer in my free time: I’ve worked for Music Festival around Sicily for the past 3 years, and started taking pictures in the Curva Nord Catania two years ago.
Lower Block: Despite being from Sicily, your football fan heart belongs elsewhere, right?
EZ: I’ve actually always been a fan of Inter Milan since I was a kid… and still am. But the years I spent in Catania have slowly but surely painted my heart in “rossazzurro” (red and blue), so while my passion for photography grew over time, I also developed a deep love for the city of Catania.
This led me to bring my city and my art together, so I started to go to every house game while taking pictures of the Rossazzurri fans. Little did I know that this was leading me to a path where I either stopped doing what I was doing or I needed to join the Ultras of Catania for one of the most thrilling rides of my life. I immediately connected with the energy of the stadium and when this happens I feel like my photos are… epic.
It’s the season 2022-23 and the city of Catania just suffered a forced relegation and restart from the lower leagues because of the bankruptcy of the previous Calcio Catania 1946 whose history and legacy permeates and resonates through the streets and hearts of the people of Catania. Losing that symbol of historic glory was a hard pill to swallow for everybody. Like an earthquake shakes the earth, this event broke the previous status of things inside the Curva and a new Ultras leading group took the lead: CATANIA CURVA NORD.
The newborn Catania FC walks an almost flawless road to winning the championship and advancing to Serie C the following season, making its furious comeback to professional football in 2023. I feel deeply privileged for having been a part of that unforgettable season, and most of all for having captured every bit of the Ultras passion that year.
The following year I felt I wanted to do more for the CURVA NORD, so I pitched the idea of making a 4-page fanzine that we would print every time Catania play at the “Angelo Massimino” Stadium, and I’m so proud of the fact that we made it, together. I love bringing my creativity to everything I do and receiving challenging feedback from Ultras is something that just fires me up. I’ve been able to mix photography, graphics and comics in one single medium that is my most beloved project so far.
Catania is still fighting in Serie C today and has good chances to make it to Serie B this year. But all of us Rossazzurri have the same dream and it’s coming back to Serie A. My dream is to take pictures in Serie A and I know we’ll make it there, because;
‘We are sons of the volcano
With lava in our veins
We’re Catania’s pride
These colours belong to us
I sing for my colours
I sing for my city
I sing for who’s not here
Because I’m in love.”
“Siamo figli del vulcano
Con la lava nelle vene
Di Catania siamo il vanto
Questa maglia ci appartiene
Canto per i miei colori
Canto per la mia città
Canto per chi è diffidato
Perchè sono innamorato.”
LB: Do you have a favourite photograph from this project?
EZ: Yes, it is from Catania versus Real Aversa Normanna (Serie D, 2022-2023). I took it while being sprayed by thousands of little pieces of paper thrown in the air by supporters at the beginning of the match. An incredible feeling of joy and gratitude for being part of that moment.
LB: Is your photographic work influenced by anyone in particular.
EZ: Sure, my main influence is the Czech-French street photographer Josef Koudelka! An absolute master in capturing the sad nature of humans.
LB: What do you think makes photographing football culture and the lifestyle of fans so fascinating?
EZ: I think we’re surfing a wave of enthusiasm which is going to go away in a little while. Like every social media trend, also this one is based on mixing good content with fashion. Everyone can craft good content nowadays, and when it comes to football it is safe to say that most people are somehow emotionally involved in this widespread sport phenomenon. At the same time football clubs enjoy investing in numerous marketing campaigns involving fashionable jerseys and therefore grappling with the emotions football brings out in fans.
Despite the most fashionable and transient aspects of football, there are still sides to this sport that are all about real-life hustle and passion, and this is what I try to capture – before it is no more.
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You can keep up with Emiliano and the Catania Ultras by following his on Instagram.
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