III. San Lázaro Pilgrimage, Cuba Photograph - Limited Edition of 5

When I captured this image, I was a young, nervous photographer eager to make my mark. Influenced by the fact that my idols were mostly men, I had the mistaken belief that male photographers had an easier time navigating challenging environments. Despite this, I was determined to overcome these barriers. My mentor, Raúl Cañibano, gave me the opportunity to photograph the San Lázaro pilgrimage, a major event in Cuban culture where thousands travel to the Sanctuary of Saint Lazarus near Havana. This pilgrimage is a profound expression of faith, with devotees walking long distances—some even on their knees—to honor Saint Lazarus, the patron saint of the sick and poor. He is also syncretized with the healing deity Babalú-Ayé in Afro-Cuban religion. During the pilgrimage, I was deeply moved by the intense spirituality of the scene. One particularly striking moment was when a man, with a cigar in his mouth, honored the saint in a gesture rich with symbolism. This fusion of the mystical and the earthly reflected a connection between ancestral beliefs and popular spirituality. The scene was a tribute to the culture, faith, and customs that have endured through the centuries. Out of respect for the sacred nature of the event, I took very few photographs. The images I captured, including the symbolic gesture of the man with the cigar, represent my journey in learning to balance documentation with respect. They highlight the unbreakable bond of faith and the enduring essence of cultural practices.