The legacy René Bardín left in Alicante is undeniable. To many, this surname will remind them of the old Bardín del Hércules Stadium in the Benalúa neighbourhood. Others to the Casa Bardín building, the current headquarters of the Juan Gil-Albert Alicante Cultural Institute. But the story goes beyond the two stadiums for sports and cultural arts. Théophile René Bardin Delille (1858-1940) was a prominent Alicante businessman by adoption who managed to shape the province with his contributions.From establishing the vineyards in Alicante to establishing the Regatta Club.
For all these, Alicante Provincial Council established the exhibition hall example Alicante’s historical footprintA tribute to a very important person for the city and the region, with historical photographs taken by his family, capturing the most important moments of Alicante.and their contribution to the development and prosperity of the city. This exhibition will be open to the public at the Provincial Palace from February 1 to April 30.
The gallery consists of: The photographic collection consists of 39 snapshots in digital format, divided into 26 unpublished photographs in 50 x 50 format, 11 images in 50 x 70 format and 2 lightboxes printed in 100 x 80, as well as a number of items and materials from the period, linked to stereoscopic photography. Many of the images also have a brief description in three languages (Spanish, Valencian and English) and help take a tour through Alicante in time.
In this exhibition it is A survey of the traditions of Alicante from the beginning of the 20th century, with images distinguished by their approach, based on a faithful representation of the traditions, culture and landscapes of a bygone era. But it also lends itself to showing the different social types of the current population in the background; This is a very important element to know how people lived at that time. All this through photographs taken by both Teófilo René and his son René Bardín.
From the fishing gear of the period to the field work in the 1920s, these are all It can be seen in a collection that explores the development of other municipalities, such as Orihuela with its livestock fair, or the reflection of the streets of towns such as Sant Joan d’Alacant. In this sense, King XIII. A special dedication is made to the exhibition, which includes several unpublished photographs of Alfonso’s first visit to Alicante on 14 April 1905 and the Bonfires of 1931.
But the exhibition goes one step further and enters the world of stereoscopy; With this technique, the illusion of three-dimensional depth can be created by taking two slightly different images and viewing them together. For him, The exhibition is aided by cardboard anaglyph glasses that add depth to the minimally displaced photographs and give the visitor a 3D feeling. An innovative proposal that makes this exhibition of the Provincial Council even more special.
Heritage
When does the influence of the Bardín family begin? Following the siege of Paris between 1870 and 1871, when the city was occupied by the troops of the Kingdom of Prussia and the collapse of the Second French Empire, they are forced to leave their homeland, France.. This is how he comes to Alicante and marries Rosario Más, marking the beginning of a legacy that has remained unbroken for years.
It was like that in the city He is the main promoter of the Bardín stadium, an initiative undertaken and self-financed by him. This was because Hércules needed a good football stadium at that time, where they could hold their sports activities and which would have a large capacity for an increasing number of fans. Moreover, Significant heritage heritage spreads throughout the L’Alacantí regionThe highlight is Casa Bardin or Finca Villa Marco de El Campello, headquarters of the Alicante Cultural Institute Juan Gil-Albert.
The opening ceremony was hosted by the Deputy of Culture Juan de Dios Navarro at the Provincial Palace, which included the businessman’s grandchildren Rocío René Mille and René Bardín. “With this exhibition, the Provincial Council is taking an important step in promoting our cultural heritage and at the same time commemorating the brave Alicanteli personality who left an important mark on the province. “amongst others, through their commercial, social, cultural or sporting contributions,” Navarro said.