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Parma Calcio 1913 | A Portrait of Passion

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Nestled in Italy’s culinary and cultural heartland, Parma is more than a city rich in tradition; it’s a place where football pulses through the veins of its residents. Parma Calcio 1913, known affectionately as “I Crociati” (The Crusaders), embodies the pride and resilience of its community. With their iconic blue and yellow colours, Parma has journeyed through exhilarating highs and shattering lows, carving a legacy rooted deeply in Italian and European football culture. Through his photographic work, Alessandro Bandini, a Parma native and lifelong supporter, aims to showcase the unbreakable bond between the team, the fans, and the city.

Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini

Founded in 1913, Parma Calcio has a rich history. The club, based in the iconic Stadio Ennio Tardini, has faced numerous challenges over the years, including multiple bankruptcies and reformations. Despite these setbacks, Parma’s resilience and the devotion of its fans have allowed it to rise, time and again, back into Serie A.


“Being able to tell stories about what happens inside a football stadium is one of the truest things there is and can bring more people closer to the reality of stadium life.”

Alessandro Bandini

Although the club has never secured a Serie A title, it achieved remarkable success on the European stage between 1992 and 2002, with trophies including three Italian Cups, a Supercoppa Italiana, two UEFA Cups, a European Super Cup, and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. It was during this golden decade that Parma saw its best-ever league finish, placing as runners-up in the 1996–97 season.

Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini

The blue and yellow kit of Parma has been donned by some of football’s legendary figures, each leaving an indelible mark on the club and its fans. Fabio Cannavaro, Lilian Thuram, Hernán Crespo, Gianluigi Buffon, and Juan Sebastián Verón are just a few of the famous names to have worn the Parma jersey, each bringing a sense of pride and ambition to a club that has always strived to punch above its weight.

Alessandro Bandini, a Parma native and lifelong fan, has made it his mission to capture the raw, unfiltered beauty of Parma Calcio and its surrounding culture. For Bandini, photography goes beyond the game itself; it’s about the shared experience of “Sunday at the stadium” and the familial bonds formed over a passion for the club.

“I always try to shoot what surrounds me, before the match, around the stadium and in the stands,” Bandini explains. Growing up, he would go to matches with his father, bonding over shared memories in the bustling crowds of Tardini. This experience became a lifelong inspiration for Bandini, who now translates his love for Parma and its football culture into powerful visual storytelling.

As someone who started in the world of graffiti, Bandini found a natural transition to stadium photography, where every shot reflects the emotional palette of Parma’s fans. Through his work, he documents the anticipation of fans outside Tardini, the explosion of joy and heartbreak within the stands, and the rich, communal rituals that come with every matchday. His images have a candid honesty that brings to life the shared moments of triumph, resilience, and pride that define Parma Calcio.

Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini

Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma’s home ground since 1923, holds a unique place in the hearts of its fans. This stadium is not just a venue; it is a meeting place, a shrine, and a second home for countless supporters. The culture around Tardini is infused with the traditions of Parma itself – its famous cuisine, art, and local spirit.

On match days, the streets around the stadium come alive with fans who gather to share stories. memories and new experiences. Here, Bandini finds the heart of Parma’s football culture.

Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini

For Bandini, each image is an opportunity to showcase what he calls “the reality of stadium life.” In his words, “Being able to tell stories about what happens inside a football stadium – whilst respecting values and ideals – is one of the truest things there is.” He hopes his work can bring more people closer to the authentic experience of Parma’s football culture.

Parma Calcio’s recent history has been challenging. In 2015, financial struggles saw the club declared bankrupt, leading to a rebirth in Serie D, Italy’s fourth division. In an inspiring comeback, Parma clawed its way back up to Serie A by 2018, an accomplishment that stands as a testament to the club’s enduring spirit and the unwavering support of its fans.

Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini
Parma Calcio 1913 football fan culture, Stadio Ennio Tardini
© Alessandro Bandini

For Bandini, capturing these moments of struggle and revival is an integral part of his work. His photos serve as a visual record of Parma’s resilience, capturing the highs and lows that every fan has felt deeply. Each frame resonates with a sense of hope and determination that has come to define the club and its community. As Parma continues its journey in Serie A, Bandini’s images remind fans, new and old, of the strength and passion that make Parma Calcio 1913 more than just a football club.

Parma may never have claimed the Serie A title, but in the eyes of its fans and through the lens of Bandini, it has already won something far more enduring: a legacy of passion, resilience, and unbreakable community ties that will carry forward for generations to come.

Keep up with Alessandro on Instagram.

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