Published as cover story on Internazionale

The shadows of buildings and monuments obscure the portions of existence that used to be ours. By the imposition of the social distance and of the state of lock down, streets, squares, churches and museums have progressively emptied.

We have not been the same since the World Health Organization declared the pandemic, caused by the spread of COVID-19, on a global scale: the code name for an evil virus, hard to decipher. Invisible, volatile and yet lethal. Initially, Italians started giving moral support to each other by organizing flash mobs and singing from their balconies and terraces except, after that, they remained dumbstruck as the country became one of the nations with the highest number of victims in the world. This virus has taken over our lives, as we once knew them, and has become a personal matter for each of us. It has forced us to cut ties with our families and friends. It has made us look at our dusty and dirty streets with different eyes, like-wise our memories of those paved and crowded with tourists. Moreover, it is not the flags displayed out of windows that give the idea of our national unity, but, possibly, that deeper awareness that causes us to live-out the same fears and gives us a glimpse of the same hopes. While the world, as we knew it, has stopped, cities themselves have started to breathe once more, with cars at a standstill under apartment blocks and the historic centers emptied of tourists, as a reminder to us of the distance between the center and the suburbs. Dreams and reality. Subsequently, in just a matter of weeks, we have gone from the dismayed eyes of the salespersons behind the shop windows of luxury stores with virtually no customers, to the eyes of all of us staring blankly at our reflection in the greying windows of our homes. Somewhere in the middle there is an invisible prison with overlapping thoughts. And our heads, that have remained outside, hanging by a thread. Like our suspended lives.

The entrance of the Colosseum is seen completely empty, following the dispositions of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020, with which the opening of museums are suspended on the whole national territory, one of the measures for the containment and management of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
The entrance of the Colosseum is seen completely empty, following the dispositions of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020, with which the opening of museums are suspended on the whole national territory, one of the measures for the containment and management of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
Daily life scenes in the half-empty streets of the city centre. Following the new Prime Ministerial Decree of 11 March 2020, all commercial activities will be closed except for pharmacies, parapharmacies, newsstands, tobacconists, food and basic necessities stores. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
Daily life scenes in the half-empty streets of the city centre. Following the new Prime Ministerial Decree of 11 March 2020, all commercial activities will be closed except for pharmacies, parapharmacies, newsstands, tobacconists, food and basic necessities stores. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
The staircase of via Monte Polacco in Roma. The capital’s streets are not crowded as usual and tourism has fallen drastically following the measures for the containment of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
The staircase of via Monte Polacco in Roma. The capital’s streets are not crowded as usual and tourism has fallen drastically following the measures for the containment of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A seagull is seen eating the remains of a pigeon in front of the windows of a historic luxury store in Piazza di Spagna on the day that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A seagull is seen eating the remains of a pigeon in front of the windows of a historic luxury store in Piazza di Spagna on the day that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A salesperson at a luxury shop in via dei Condotti, is seen portrayed with a mask around the neck while looking outside the window. Streets and shops of the city centre are almost deserted, after the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home”, which disposed that people should stay home except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A salesperson at a luxury shop in via dei Condotti, is seen portrayed with a mask around the neck while looking outside the window. Streets and shops of the city centre are almost deserted, after the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home”, which disposed that people should stay home except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the empty Piazza di Spagna from the Spanish Steps of Trinità dei Monti. The streets in the city centre are deserted, after the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home” disposed that people should stay home during Italy's lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the empty Piazza di Spagna from the Spanish Steps of Trinità dei Monti. The streets in the city centre are deserted, after the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home” disposed that people should stay home during Italy’s lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A man seated inside the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. According to the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020 for the containment of the Coronavirus, the places of worship remain open but civil and religious ceremonies, including funeral ceremonies are suspended on the whole national territory until April 3. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A man seated inside the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. According to the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020 for the containment of the Coronavirus, the places of worship remain open but civil and religious ceremonies, including funeral ceremonies are suspended on the whole national territory until April 3. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
Empty chairs and benches in the church of San Barnaba, in the Prenestino-Labicano district. According to the rules imposed by the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020 for the containment of the Coronavirus, civil and religious ceremonies, including funeral ceremonies are suspended on the whole national territory until April 3. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
Empty chairs and benches in the church of San Barnaba, in the Prenestino-Labicano district. According to the rules imposed by the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020 for the containment of the Coronavirus, civil and religious ceremonies, including funeral ceremonies are suspended on the whole national territory until April 3. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view inside the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs in Rome. The staircase, a Catholic pilgrimage site which may only be climbed on one's knees as sign of devotion, has been closed following the measures for the containment of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19 disposed by the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view inside the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs in Rome. The staircase, a Catholic pilgrimage site which may only be climbed on one’s knees as sign of devotion, has been closed following the measures for the containment of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19 disposed by the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the empty Trevi Fountain. The streets in the city centre are deserted, after the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home” disposed that people should stay home during Italy's lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the empty Trevi Fountain. The streets in the city centre are deserted, after the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home” disposed that people should stay home during Italy’s lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A man wearing a mask, walks through the half-empty streets of the city centre on the day that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Following the dispositions of the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home”, people should stay home except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A man wearing a mask, walks through the half-empty streets of the city centre on the day that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Following the dispositions of the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home”, people should stay home except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A mannequin in a garbage can on the streets of the Pigneto district. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A mannequin in a garbage can on the streets of the Pigneto district. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A man wearing a gas mask waits for his turn outside a grocery shop. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A man wearing a gas mask waits for his turn outside a grocery shop. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A woman is seen along with her children lighted by their phones while taking part to a flashmob from the terrace of their home. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A woman is seen along with her children lighted by their phones while taking part to a flashmob from the terrace of their home. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some people singing from their balconies and their windows, like every night at 9:00 p.m., along with the rest of the neighbourhood. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
Some people singing from their balconies and their windows, like every night at 9:00 p.m., along with the rest of the neighbourhood. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
The umpteenth television appearance of the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte who addressing to the nation announces the introduction of new restrictive measures for the containment of the spread of the Coronavirus. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
The umpteenth television appearance of the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte who addressing to the nation announces the introduction of new restrictive measures for the containment of the spread of the Coronavirus. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A woman walks through an alleyway in the city centre on the day that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Following the dispositions of the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home”, people should stay home except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A woman walks through an alleyway in the city centre on the day that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Following the dispositions of the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home”, people should stay home except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the half-empty street surrounding the Flavian Amphitheater. Following the measures for the containment of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19 disposed by the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020, tourism has fallen drastically in the capital city. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A view of the half-empty street surrounding the Flavian Amphitheater. Following the measures for the containment of the epidemiological emergency from COVID-19 disposed by the Prime Ministerial Decree of 8 March 2020, tourism has fallen drastically in the capital city. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
The empty Piazza del Popolo square. The streets in the city centre are deserted, after the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home” disposed that people should stay home except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020.Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
The empty Piazza del Popolo square. The streets in the city centre are deserted, after the Prime Ministerial Decree “I stay home” disposed that people should stay home except for work needs, situations of necessity and health reasons. Rome, Italy 2020.Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A man is seen on his balcony, covered behind an Italian flag. Italy remains locked down to help contain the spread of coronavirus. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli
A man is seen on his balcony, covered behind an Italian flag. Italy remains locked down to help contain the spread of coronavirus. Rome, Italy 2020. © Matteo Bastianelli

OUR SUSPENDED LIVES (2020)