One of the city’s most important events, and also one of the most eagerly anticipated, is the city fair; even tourists come from all over Europe to enjoy this event, which I think has been much busier this year than in previous years.
Although I always take photographs of nature, art exhibitions and even the city streets, I try to ensure that people do not appear in the photos. The reason is that I don’t like to invade people’s privacy and, besides, as I don’t like having my photo taken, I do the same with everyone else.
But this time it was very different; everyone was taking photographs, mainly of the streets, the decorations, the stalls selling all sorts of fair-related items, and even of the shows and the women dressed in traditional flamenco costumes, and, of course, most of the people doing this were tourists. So I felt like just another tourist.
That’s why I really enjoyed strolling amongst the crowds, admiring the ítems, especially the handcrafted ones, that the stalls were selling, but above all taking photos of the moment, as if capturing those fleeting moments of joy among the people, of this event that takes place once a year in the city and which embodies culture and tradition.
That is precisely how it felt to walk amongst the people, that tradition of singing, dancing and the objects that form part of the culture, such as shawls, flowers of every colour, and fans ranging from simple ones to hand-painted ones, which are absolutely stunning. The infectious joy, the sense of sharing, all of that is part of the way of life of the people here, and that is what I wanted to capture in my photographs.
Of course, what caught my eye most were the embroideries on the shawls, and although they’re mass-produced rather than handmade, which is of inestimable value as it’s a first-class textile art, the flowers still stood out on them, as did the various designs and patterns on the fans. I never tire of saying it: those are the two things I like best.
But I mustn’t fail to mention that the fact the fair takes place on Calle Larios gives it a distinctive style, as the buildings on this street are of exquisite architecture, as you can see. That, too, is art, and whilst today I’m not bringing you an exhibition of paintings inside a museum, art in the city can be found at every turn, and architecture is also an art form.
At one point, I enjoyed standing in front of the monumental display that the council puts up every year for the fair, which on this occasion was completely new and colourful. I liked standing there and just pausing to take a few photos, as if the people were moving but everything else wasn’t. Capturing moments. I’ve seen this in the work of many photographers here on Hive and wanted to try it myself; I learn from them when I look at their photos, and I love that.
When I finally reached that huge structure, I loved taking a close look at it with those giant fans.
Everything was so beautifully decorated, even the surrounding bushes.
I crossed the road and there were more stalls, but I was also struck by the fair-themed decorations at a very new and modern hotel. Chairs arranged in various shapes, symbolising dance and flamenco.
I wanted to see what lay beyond and came to a corner where various interviews with local personalities were being filmed for television. The festivities were in full swing and the views were just as stunning.
Thank you very much for joining me today; I wish you all a very happy Sunday. See you soon. Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
