An Asian Lion Guarding an Italian Town – One Shot Story

Ofena is a small town located within the Abruzzo National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga, in Italy, Hit by the 2009 earthquake, Ofena is still struggling to recover.  Life came back to its ordinary pulse thank to the inhabitants who showed strong resilience. However, wandering around these wounded places I didn’t feel inclined to take photos as I felt like I was exploiting the enduring consequences of the tragedy that hit this community.

However, one thing caught my attention that I couldn’t ignore: a Guardian Lion, possibly Indian, Chinese or from another Asian country with the same traditional symbol, placed under an arch. In the background was the entrance to the local chapter of the Democratic Party (Partito Democratico), one of Italy’s major political parties.

To the casual observer, this scene might seem just like an oddity or perhaps a tribute to Asian culture by a local resident. To a commentator on Italian politics, it may seem like a sign of the times: the only lasting hope is to invoke a transcendent (and foreign) power to protect the country.

Just for the curious, I used my (resurrected) Nikon 35TI and a Ferrania P33.