‘AMAZÔNIA – photographs by Sebastião Salgado’ has opened in Cologne, marking its first showing in Germany after previous exhibitions in Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, and Barcelona. The exhibition is being held at the Rautenstrauch Joest Museum from October 29, 2025, to March 15, 2026. Nearly two million people have already visited the show worldwide.
The exhibition presents over 200 large-format black-and-white photographs by Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. Curated by Lélia Wanick Salgado and accompanied by an immersive soundscape created by Jean-Michel Jarre, the event aims to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the Amazon region and its indigenous peoples. Lélia Wanick Salgado stated at the opening: “The exhibition not only invites visitors to view the photographs but also aims to draw them into the subject matter. With AMAZÔNIA, I would like them to feel as though they are standing right in the middle of the forest.” Lélia Wanick Salgado is an architect and urbanist who was both wife and artistic partner to Sebastião Salgado until his death in May 2025.
Sebastião Salgado spent years working in the Amazon region. His images document various aspects of this area—including rivers, mountains, cloud formations, forests—and portray daily life for local communities living close to nature. Video portraits within the exhibition feature voices such as Brazilian Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sônia Guajajara. The timing of the exhibition coincides closely with COP30, the UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Belém.
An accompanying program titled ‘The Future Is Indigenous’ expands on themes from the main exhibit through talks, workshops, music events, films, and interactive learning spaces. Indigenous representatives were present at the official opening.
Zurich serves as main global partner for this tour; DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH), KfW Development Bank, and TASCHEN publishing house are supporting partners for Cologne’s installment as part of Zurich Deutschland’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
DEG has maintained a presence in Brazil since the mid-1960s. While Brazil is experiencing economic growth as Latin America’s largest economy, it continues to face challenges such as income inequality and environmental issues. Through sponsorship of AMAZÔNIA alongside other partners, DEG seeks to raise awareness about climate change impacts—especially those affecting developing countries—and strengthen its engagement with cultural initiatives.
“The exhibition not only invites visitors to view the photographs but also aims to draw them into the subject matter. With AMAZÔNIA, I would like them to feel as though they are standing right in the middle of the forest.” — Lélia Wanick Salgado
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