From Kent Narrows to the Po Delta: one crab, two very different stories
Luca Crudeli Luca Crudeli

From Kent Narrows to the Po Delta: one crab, two very different stories

I live near Kent Narrows, Maryland—but I’m from Emilia-Romagna, where the Po River fans into the Adriatic. In both places, water shapes identity and work. Yet the same species tells two opposite stories. Here in the Chesapeake, the blue crab is a heritage fishery struggling through one of its lowest population counts on record. Back home, that same crab has become an invasive predator devouring clams and mussels, threatening a hundred-million-euro industry.

This shared fate captures what I work on every day: how markets and ecosystems intertwine. The solutions that help watermen in Maryland—responsible aquaculture, demand for invasives, better habitat data—are the same tools that could turn crisis into opportunity in the Po Delta. Two estuaries, one crab, and a reminder that economic recovery and ecological balance are the same story told in different tides.

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Divas & Patubatê: A Rhythmic Celebration at Clube do Choro— Divas & Patubatê: Uma Celebração Rítmica no Clube do Choro

Divas & Patubatê: A Rhythmic Celebration at Clube do Choro— Divas & Patubatê: Uma Celebração Rítmica no Clube do Choro

Stepping into the Clube do Choro that evening, it was impossible not to feel the warmth of the Divas. This was more than a pre-Carnival party—it was a celebration of movement, connection, and the enduring power of joy. The Divas, a group of women mostly in their 60s and beyond, embody a deep understanding of what it means to embrace life at every stage. With grace and enthusiasm, they filled the space with quiet vitality, their movements unhurried yet full of presence. At their side, Patubatê set the rhythm, their inventive percussion transforming recycled materials into a powerful soundscape. The beats reverberated through the venue, creating a dialogue between music and movement that transcended generations. In a world that often overlooks the voices of older women, the Divas stood in radiant defiance, reminding everyone that joy has no expiration date.

Ao entrar no Clube do Choro naquela noite, era impossível não sentir o calor das Divas. Aquilo era mais do que uma festa pré-carnavalesca—era uma celebração do movimento, da conexão e do poder duradouro da alegria. As Divas, um grupo de mulheres em sua maioria com mais de 60 anos, carregam uma compreensão profunda do que significa abraçar a vida em todas as suas fases. Com graça e entusiasmo, preencheram o espaço com uma vitalidade serena, seus movimentos sem pressa, mas cheios de presença. Ao seu lado, o Patubatê marcou o ritmo, sua percussão inventiva transformando materiais reciclados em uma paisagem sonora poderosa. As batidas reverberavam pelo salão, criando um diálogo entre música e movimento que transcendeu gerações. Em um mundo que muitas vezes ignora as vozes das mulheres mais velhas, as Divas brilharam em resistência radiante, lembrando a todos que a alegria não tem prazo de validade.

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Joy & Resilience: ARUC’s Quest for Samba Equality - Alegria & Resistência: O Esforço da ARUC pelo Samba Igualitário

Joy & Resilience: ARUC’s Quest for Samba Equality - Alegria & Resistência: O Esforço da ARUC pelo Samba Igualitário

I was immersed in the samba pulse at the Cruzeiro pre-Carnival parade, where bright costumes sparkled and drums boomed with contagious energy. Families and dancers bonded over the shared rhythm, proving Carnival’s power to unite.

Fiquei imerso no pulsar do samba na prévia de Carnaval no Cruzeiro, onde fantasias brilhantes cintilavam e tambores ressoavam com energia contagiante. Famílias e dançarinos se uniram em torno do ritmo, provando o poder do Carnaval de unir.

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Tinapa in Rosario, Cavite: Balancing Tradition, Sustainability, and Modern Challenges

Tinapa in Rosario, Cavite: Balancing Tradition, Sustainability, and Modern Challenges

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Guardians of the Amazon: A Peaceful Indigenous Protest in the Heart of Brasília

Guardians of the Amazon: A Peaceful Indigenous Protest in the Heart of Brasília

In April 2022, as the sun dipped over Brasília’s sweeping avenues, I witnessed a protest that felt both timeless and urgent. Indigenous groups from across Brazil had gathered on the Esplanada, marching peacefully yet powerfully toward the National Congress. Their demands were clear: recognition of their ancestral lands, protection of the Amazon, and resistance against laws like the Marco Temporal, which threatened to erase their claims. Against the stark lines of Brasília’s modern architecture, their presence was striking—a reminder that the fight for the rainforest is also a fight for cultural survival, and ultimately, for the planet itself.

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Circo dos Sonhos: Between Magic and Reality Under the Big Top

Circo dos Sonhos: Between Magic and Reality Under the Big Top

Stepping into Circo dos Sonhos, I feel like I’ve entered another world. The scent of popcorn lingers, the towering tent glows under the lights, and behind the curtain, performers prepare for a night of magic. But beyond the wonder of the show lies a different reality—one of relentless training, constant travel, and financial uncertainty. Life in the circus is a delicate balance between passion and survival, creativity and struggle. Through this series of photographs, I want to reveal both sides of this world—the breathtaking artistry and the quiet, unseen moments of dedication. Because in the end, the circus is more than a performance. It’s a way of life, a testament to resilience, and proof that dreams, no matter how challenging, are always worth chasing.

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Mnemba’s Fishing Communities: Holding on to a Changing Sea

Mnemba’s Fishing Communities: Holding on to a Changing Sea

As the sun rises over Mnemba, Mozambique, fishermen prepare their boats while women wade through the shallows, searching for shellfish. The sea has always provided, but now, the fish are fewer, the reefs quieter. Illegal fishing and environmental changes have left their mark, yet the community persists—casting nets, weaving baskets, and diving for octopus in the seagrass beds. Their connection to the ocean is unbreakable, but for how much longer?

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