Font Bona Cultural Association
When in 1998 we made known to all the residents of Banyeres de Mariola the intention to start a compilation of photographs with the idea of creating a graphic background, we could never imagine that the response would be so fast and massive, which made it possible to gather more than two thousand images that were digitized and classified following a thematic index.
This public response highlighted the great public sensitivity and the enormous interest in keeping present a past that, thanks to many people, dedicated by profession or simple hobby, they had managed to capture unrepeatable moments with their cameras. This forces us to be aware that a photograph becomes a graphic document that shows us the constant evolution of society; an indelible mark that brings to our memory events that happened, almost forgotten or perhaps unknown; an essential source of information to make known a vast cultural heritage that sometimes turns out to be excessively changing… From here, the imperative need to carry out a constant compilation of graphic material for its subsequent analysis, cataloging and dissemination.
The result of that initiative became, l’any 2001, in the edition of the first photographic book of our locality: "Graphic history of Banyeres de Mariola I", on, after a difficult selection, around seven hundred snapshots were included, showing our gratitude to more than a hundred people who collaborated with their contributions and, to my, took the opportunity to pay tribute to local photographers for their extraordinary artistic work. Likewise, a photo exhibition was held, which had not been included to avoid a too extensive and expensive publication. precisely, For leaving so many images in the archive, was the reason for considering that volume as the first, since there was the possibility that in the future a new collection could appear.
Once the book reached the public, we were surprised by the great acceptance received, which meant that the edition was practically sold out in a few weeks. This circumstance transcended in a positive way, causing the contributions to follow each other more and more, currently having a monthly fund of six thousand photos.
In view of’ this, the possibility of preparing volume number two was studied, taking into account the need to divulge this graphic compilation that grows every day, clear indication that people are aware of the importance of a photo album that remains in the room getting covered in dust and that in the end disappears due to lack of space when changing addresses or is divided when distributing it among family members, which means that the sequences of images lose their original meaning.
The photographs we offer you in this book have only been digitally processed through tone and focus adjustments, avoiding any restoration in order not to distort the essence d’ this valuable heritage. Similarly, and how it is mandatory, each of the images is accompanied by a photo caption that records the data that has been possible to obtain (data, with an impact on cities, situations…), followed by the author of the photo (if known) and of the person who was kind enough to give it to me.
As in the previous post, the content has been arranged in eight chapters covering different aspects: "Urban Heritage" (panoramas, streets, buildings and monuments); “Everyday life” (any image that has marked the pulse of our locality); "Parties" (Moors and Christians, Malena, Holy Lucia); “The economy” (farming, trade, industry); "Culture and sport" (groups of students from different schools, theater, music, dances, sports activities); "Celebrations" (processions, first communions, bodes, baptism); “In the light of the diaphragm” (studio photos and ambulent photographers) i, finally, the "Photographers" chapter which includes the list of some of the authors of the photos shown, as well as a brief review of their professional career, all this accompanied by several of his works, self-portraits and interesting advertising that appears on the back of some supports.
A locator of the images that each person has contributed has also been made (next to each name is a series of page numbers where photographs of the person in question appear). Finally, another locator with the names of the photographers.
One more time, we trust that this new graphic contribution will increase your collection of reference books and that you will enjoy each of the images it contains.
Good Source Cultural Association
-Local Studies Center-
Factsheet:
first edition: of 2013
Edita: Good Source Cultural Association, Center for Local Studies of Banyeres de Mariola, with the support of l’ Banyeres de Mariola City Council and the D Foundation. José value Amoros.
Graphic design: Javier Mira Calatayud,
Printing and binding:
Vilsor Printers, S. L.
No.. pages: 352.
measure: 23,7 x 29,3
ISBN: 978 – 84 – 616 – 6258 – 6
Legal deposit: A – 493 – 2013
Printed in Spain
