Nearly forty years after the publication of "Autres Amériques" (Other Americas), the first book by renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado published by Contrejour, the French publishing house has released his final work "Glaciers" as a tribute to their late friend who passed away in May. The publication coincides with UNESCO's 2025 International Year for the Preservation of Glaciers, marking a particularly poignant moment as 2024 was recorded as the hottest year in history.
Salgado's relationship with Contrejour began with "Autres Amériques," published in 1986, which featured a powerful collection of photographs taken during his extensive travels throughout Latin America between 1977 and 1984. The book explored the persistence of peasant and indigenous cultures through Salgado's distinctive black-and-white photography. The compelling nature of his photographs, combined with their artistic power and the innovative layout design by Lélia Salgado that presented most images as double-page spreads, contributed to the book's tremendous success.
"Autres Amériques" received the First Photo Book Prize and was reprinted multiple times in four different languages, establishing Salgado's international reputation. The book's success marked the beginning of a long editorial and personal friendship between the photographer and Contrejour publishers that would span nearly four decades.
The new book "Glaciers," set for publication in October 2025, represents the final project that Sebastião Salgado personally realized and supervised before his death, bringing closure to this remarkable editorial and personal partnership. The publication serves as both a tribute and an expression of loyalty to their departed friend, cementing his legacy in environmental photography.
Conceived and designed by Lélia Wanick Salgado, "Glaciers" brings together carefully selected images chosen in collaboration with Sebastião Salgado himself. The collection offers readers an opportunity to discover and engage with one of the most pressing issues of our time: the climate crisis and the urgent need to protect delicate and essential natural ecosystems such as mountains and glaciers.
The book features a preface by Elisa Palazzi and spans 128 pages in a 24 x 30 cm format, priced at 45 euros. "Glaciers" is available through Contrejour's website at www.editions-contrejour.com, representing both a significant artistic achievement and an important environmental statement from one of photography's most influential voices.
