This is the first international exhibition in Malta by Reza, whose images have appeared on the covers of 25 National Geographic magazines and captivated a wide audience internationally.  Born in Tabriz, Iran, in 1952, Reza has spent much of his career photographing the world’s trouble spots. But what is remarkable about his work is that, while capturing conflict and suffering, he also manages to capture beauty, humanity, tenderness and hope.

The exhibition illustrating Reza’s work is aimed at promoting international peace and security and is endorsed by UNESCO, the US Embassy and the Ministry for Tourism and Culture.  Reza is a founder of AINA ‘Mirror’, a non-profit international organisation dedicated to the education of children and the promotion of cultural renewal in the emerging of the civil society within developing countries.

Awarded the ‘Chevalier de L’Ordre National du Merite’ (France’s highest civilian honour) in November of 2005 for distinguished services in a public or private capacity by the former French President Jacques Chirac, Reza disdains publicity and continues to speak out on causes and issues through his images.

In the words of Eman Pulis, a Diplomatic Studies student himself, “The exhibition is aimed at promoting cultural diversity. The title in itself sheds light on the fact that this showcase is about the exposition of international conflict, about hope for peace and security. ‘Why Malta?’ some might wonder. Predictably enough, Malta boasts an ideal location to stage this presentation due to its geo-political position in the Mediterranean and its neutrality in situations of conflict”.

Every picture in ‘One World, One Tribe’ tells a story: from one of a group of Mujahedeen, whom Reza followed as they prepared an attack on Kabul, to a picture of children mimicking the photographer at the end of an exhausting day in the war-torn country. These and other beautiful, powerful images will be displayed in large format outdoors at the Sliema – St. Julian’s promenade to spectacular effect between the 1st and 9th July. The exhibits will also be open for the public between the 14th and 31st July at the MCC. They will be for sale, with 50% of the proceeds going to Aina, a non-profit foundation established by Reza for the development of independent media and expression in Afghanistan. The remaining 50% will go towards Reaching Out, a local NGO. In addition, documentaries about the photographer will be screened daily at the MCC, Valletta.

In assembling his latest exhibition, ‘One World, One Tribe’,  Reza strives to depict the human being as an entity from birth to death through subjects spanning all ethnic groups, races and nations to demonstrate the commonality of the human race.

Reza’s photographic works are exhibited at St. Julian’s Promenade from 1st July to 9th July 2007 between 17:00-24:00 CEST and at the Mediterranean Conference Centre between 14thJuly to 31stJuly all day.

Organisers Marshall-Pulis would like to thank their partners, the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, UNESCO, the U.S. Embassy for Malta, KSU, Vodafone and Chemimart for their valuable unconditional support.