Steve McCurry: Childhood, Travel, and the Changing World

In an interview with Gianni Riotta, photographer Steve McCurry reflects on his childhood in Philadelphia, his travels, and his observations on global change. Born in 1950 in Philadelphia, he grew up in the suburbs, describing a serene childhood despite his mother's early death when he was eight. His father, an electrical engineer from South Carolina, raised him and his two sisters. McCurry attended a boarding school for a year before returning to public high school, which he found unengaging. Seeking escape from conformity, he traveled to Stockholm and Amsterdam, experiencing a Europe different from America. He notes that mass tourism and consumption have homogenized the world, but also acknowledges progress in Africa, including schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. However, he laments the loss of traditions, languages, and ancestral festivals. The interview is part of the book "Il mondo di Steve McCurry" published by Mondadori Electa in 2016.