The neighborhood seen by the people of Alicante
In Alicante, the Housing Board of the City Council brings the 16th Autumn Photography Competition to life in the historic Old Town, developed in collaboration with the Alicante University Light Writers Association (ELUA). The contest exists to invigorate cultural activity and celebrate the enduring appeal of black and white photography that captures the city’s past and present. This year, as part of its ongoing tradition, a concert accompanies the event, echoing the festive spirit that has long accompanied the competition in Bitola. A rooftop performance by Penthouse The Liverpool Band, a tribute to The Beatles, is scheduled to unfold at noon on Sunday, 26 November, drawing a broad audience.
The submission window is open until 28 November. Entries must be black and white photographs taken within the Old Town, with the Santa Bárbara Castle area including restricted zones still allowed for capture. The contest awards three prizes of 300 euros each, and up to 24 distinguished works will be exhibited in The Cloister from December 13 to January 7, offering visitors a curated glimpse of Alicante’s urban and architectural character.
Entries are judged by a panel of well-known figures in the field and seasoned photography professionals. The winners will be announced on December 13 at Portalet Palace in LAB15.
The Housing Counselor, Carlos de Juan, highlighted the long-standing tradition of this competition and the associated concert as pillars of the city’s cultural landscape. His remarks framed the event within broader efforts to revitalize the Old Town, including ongoing public housing initiatives, the development of university dormitories, and infrastructure improvements. Projects cited included the Portón and Santa Lucía buildings, the creation of parking facilities, urbanization of surrounding streets, enhanced accessibility in Santa Cruz, and archaeological preservation of medieval walls from the 14th to 16th centuries.