In this evocative 2025 series, internationally acclaimed British photographer Emmanuel Cole turns his lens toward the Purim celebrations in Stamford Hill, one of London’s most distinctive Jewish neighborhoods. The project marks a return to Cole’s first photographic passion: documenting the unseen or rarely observed communities of his native city with sensitivity, curiosity, and respect.
Purim is a Jewish festival that commemorates the events described in the biblical Book of Esther, celebrating the survival of the Jewish people in ancient Persia after they were saved from persecution. Observed with joy and exuberance, Purim is characterized by costumes, music, communal gatherings, charitable giving, and the public reading of the Megillah (the Book of Esther). It is a holiday rooted not only in historical memory, but also in themes of resilience, identity, and collective strength in the face of adversity.
Cole’s photographs capture the festive energy and layered meaning of the celebration—moments of playfulness and ritual unfolding side by side. Children in costume, animated gestures, and intimate interactions reveal Purim as both a deeply communal event and a powerful expression of cultural continuity. Through his close engagement with the community, Cole offers a nuanced portrait that moves beyond spectacle, allowing viewers a rare glimpse into a living tradition shaped by history, faith, and everyday life.
This series stands as a quiet yet compelling testament to celebration as an act of remembrance, and to photography’s ability to bridge worlds that often remain unseen.
He explains:
''I have a connection with Stamford Hill as an area of London because my dad used to go there a lot and my Mum used to shop at the Netto supermarket there, which has since closed. I have done a lot of commercial work in the last three years and wanted to go back to my roots of documenting London and its inhabitants. Purim is such a special occasion in the Jewish calendar and I wanted to capture and pay respect to how joyful and unique it is.''
Emmanuel Cole
Since Emmanuel's first encounter with photography back in 2010 when an Uncle gave him his first camera, he has gained over 100,000 followers on Instagram and worked for brands such as Adidas, Airbnb, Ford, Nike and BMW/MINI. Emmanuel continues to spread his knowledge about photography through workshops with The Photographers' Gallery and by teaching in schools. He launched his first book in 2024, Bearing Witness which has been featured in It’s Nice That, The Guardian and Another Magazine amongst others.
www.emmanuelcole.co.uk
@ecolephoto
