Capturing Alicante: A photographic journey through its traditional trades

Espacio Séneca will host the exhibition “Alicante in the Soul. A photographic journey through the traditional trades of Alicante” by the Mediterranía Foto collective from Thursday, January 15 to Sunday, February 22. Curated by Natalia Molinos, the exhibition features 52 photographs of varying formats, inspired by Gastón Castelló’s 1948 mural at the former bus station, now Espacio Séneca. Castelló’s mural originally sought to introduce travellers to Alicante’s traditional industries, from fishing and citrus farming to marble production, many of which continue to thrive today.

A tribute to traditional crafts

Councillor for Culture Nayma Beldjilali praised the exhibition, calling it “a very interesting exhibition that tells us about our industrial roots with images accompanied by texts from Alicante authors such as Miguel Hernández, Azorín and Gabriel Miró, among others.” Molinos explains that the photographs were selected to convey the meticulousness, dedication, and care behind each craft, highlighting the human effort involved in maintaining these traditional trades.

Literature meets photography

The exhibition is enriched with literary excerpts from local authors and poets, including Francisca Aguirre, Trina Mercader, and María Ibars, reinforcing Alicante’s cultural identity and linking photography, crafts, and literature. This combination aims to celebrate the poetics of everyday industry while preserving the region’s artisanal and agricultural heritage in the face of modern technological change.

Events and documentary screenings

Visitors can also view objects from the Biomimeti Foundation, Circle of Arts and Crafts of Alicante collection, alongside projected images from the Mediterranía Foto Collective. Additional events include the screening of the documentary “150 Years of the Footwear Industry in Elche” on January 22, and a series of talks throughout January and February, exploring the survival of traditional trades, the art of photography, and Alicante’s cultural identity.

This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to rediscover the soul of Alicante through the lens of its artisans, photographers, and writers.