Women’s passion for Palermo told through the lens of Palermo-based photographer Ornella Mazzola. This is the focus of the photographic exhibition “Rosa, la passione è femmina” (Pink, passion is female), which will be on display for a month at the Palermo Museum at the Renzo Barbera Stadium from Friday 6 March 2026.
The exhibition features a selection of photographs taken in recent years and represents a snapshot of the author’s artistic journey. Through the images on display, the project highlights the different nuances of this bond: from the energy of the fans in the stands to the more intimate and familiar dimension of a feeling that is passed down from generation to generation.
“Ever since I was a child, I have felt the warmth of the rosanero fans through my father”, says Ornella, who studied Audiovisual Studies at La Sapienza University in Rome. “The idea for this photographic story came from my great love for Palermo and its fans. Having photographed the heart of the city for many years, I have always felt the strong passion of the people for the rosanero colours and, in particular, I have always seen women and girls living this passion to the full”.
From the shots at the Barbera stadium to the images in the city’s working-class neighbourhoods, the common thread is the feeling of belonging: “A strong connection has been created with the subjects of my shots, a bond that goes beyond simple photography. I have found that for every Palermitan, it is essential to feel part of something. There are those who do not follow football closely, but feel their blood boil when Palermo wins”, concludes Ornella.
A proud little girl with a small flag sewn by her own hands, the passion that shines through the faces of the women in the Curva Nord, the uncontrollable enthusiasm after a promotion: all this and much more is “Rosa, la passione è femmina”, a powerful visual story that strongly reaffirms the central role of women in passing on the rosanero identity.