Across this year’s Castell de l’Olla, spectators witnessed a dazzling sea of color as fireworks burst over the water, lighting up the shoreline and drawing a huge crowd onto the sands of Altea. The winning image came from Roberto Riera Roselló of Altea, whose photograph earned top honors in the Castell de l’Olla 2023 photography competition, staged in July. In a generous collaboration, the Amics del Castell de l’Olla association and the Altea Ministry of Culture directed a total of 1,000 euros in prize money, distributed across winners to celebrate the city’s vibrant photographic scene. [citation]
L’Horta d’Altea celebrates 25 years of “Contes a la fosca”
A ceremony marked the milestone of Contes a la Fosca, celebrated this Friday evening as a prelude to the opening of a curated exhibition featuring fifteen of the highest-rated photographs. The exhibition will be on display at the Casa de Cultura and runs through the late September dates, with a special preview on September 29. In this edition, Roberto Riera claimed a prize of 500 euros for the winning work, while Antonio Pérez García of Callosa de Segura earned 300 euros for second place, and Eric Lanneau from Altea received 200 euros for third prize. The event underscored the community’s enthusiasm for visual storytelling and its growing reputation as a cultural beacon in the region. [citation]
Rejected Photos
Among the participants, 58 entrants submitted a total of 157 photographs under the competition’s rules, which allowed up to three images per contestant and required digital camera capture. The judging panel deemed 63 photographs from 24 different contestants ineligible because they were taken with mobile devices rather than dedicated digital cameras. The selection process highlighted the organizers’ emphasis on photographic technique and the aesthetic standards expected for this prestigious event. [citation]
During the opening remarks, José Pérez, president of Amics del Castell de l’Olla and the Fellowship “Picarraco,” thanked the community and noted that the exhibition closes the 35th edition of Castell de l’Olla, described by organizers as a resounding success. The creative team, including illustrator Miguel Calatayud and journalist FJ Benites, delivered a memorable fireworks display with Vulcan Pyrotechnics, setting the night alight. Commenting on the event, organizers praised the photographers for capturing the essence of Castell de l’Olla and invited them to compete again in 2024. [citation]
On behalf of the organizing body, Pepa Victoria Pérez, a member of the Cultural Council, recalled the moment when José Vicente Llopis proposed staging the competition and how swiftly the council supported the idea. Castell de l’Olla stands as Altea’s most significant annual tourist event, and the organizers expressed gratitude to the Brotherhood for its ongoing work. The night, they observed, stops the town in its tracks for a few minutes so residents can fully savor the spectacular fireworks. [citation]
The mayor closed with a reflection on how the contest mirrors the cooperative effort between the Brotherhood and the City Council to transform this spectacular scene into one of the summer’s most magical nights in Altea. He congratulated all photographers for their participation and celebrated the winning images that display the beauty of the fireworks across Spain in full splendor. [citation]