Echoes of Immigration: Portraits of Levantine Argentinians

Between 1880 and 1960, Buenos Aires underwent a profound transformation as approximately 175,000 immigrants arrived from the Levant. Their journey marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter in the city’s history—one that would shape its cultural landscape for generations to come. These individuals carried not only their belongings, but also a rich mosaic of stories, traditions, and aspirations that gradually wove themselves into the fabric of Argentine life. From lively street markets to the quiet countryside, my lens sought to capture the threads of connection that Levantine descendants have embedded within this landscape. Each image stands as a testament to the enduring power of migration, resilience, and cultural fusion.

I traveled to Buenos Aires for a month-long art residency to explore a project that deeply resonated with me. Tracing Arab heritage in Argentina became an especially meaningful and enriching experience. With the generous support of the Saudi Ministry of Culture and BIENALSUR, I had the opportunity to meet and interview several inspiring figures: Karina El Azem, a prominent Argentine artist of Syrian descent; Diana Dowek, a leading visual artist known for her early work reflecting a strong engagement with human rights; and painter Sumaia Daher, who introduced me to a Catholic church built with stone brought from Lebanon.

A special thank you to Marcelo Huernos for his generosity in facilitating connections and helping me find so many Argentinians of Arab descent. “El Turco” was a term often used to identify Arabs, many of whom arrived from the Levant carrying identification from the Ottoman Empire. One of the most moving moments of this journey was meeting the Al-Alem sisters, who took me to the “El Turco” section of a town cemetery. There, they did not recognize the Arabic inscription “الحالم.” I shared with them that it meant “the dreamer.” Their great-grandfather had left his family in Lebanon at the age of sixteen to begin a new life in Argentina—never to return. Four generations later, standing together at his grave, the weight of that journey and its legacy brought us all to tears. To my fellow French photographer, Laetizia Debian, I'm grateful to share this journey with you.