Two and a half kilos of new magazine heft define Canelobre, issue 73, a comprehensive chronicle of Alicante’s history. The biannual publication, authored by Juan Gil-Albert of the Cultural Institute of Alicante, arrives under the banner Made in Alicante. It surveys the province’s economy over two centuries through 75 articles contributed by 87 writers, spanning 616 pages of carefully curated material.
The latest edition of Canelobre was unveiled this Monday at MARQ, presented by the President of the Provincial Assembly, Carlos Mazón, with cultural figures Julia Parra and Pilar Tebar alongside the department head for magazines and the deputy director, Juanjo Payas. The team highlighted that the volume assembles contributions from private and public collections, archives, and libraries, drawing heavily on the museum collection itself and featuring more than 10,000 works that anchor the publication to Alicante’s material heritage.
Made in Alicante is organized into six sections. The publication opens with the notion that Alicante stands apart from other autonomous communities as a region defined by brands. It traces the seed of entrepreneurship, then moves to a division on flavors celebrated in Spain, showcasing products from nine regions. The narrative continues with tourism and the province’s industrial evolution, followed by factory art and architecture, craft and industry—from footwear to natural stone and toys—and concludes with profiles of the people, institutions, and companies driving the economy.
Renowned professionals and scholars share their perspectives, including Emilio Soler, Josep Lluis Santonja, Josep Bernabeu, Susana Llorens, Jose Ramon Valero Escandell, and others, with contributions from philanthropist Maite Anton and additional voices offering analysis and context.
The volume highlights products and regional specialties from across the province: wine and table grapes from Vinalopó, cherries from the mountains, nougat from Callosa d’En Sarria and from Alicante’s celebrated Xixona, and regional staples like melons from Carrizales, figs from Albatera, artichokes from Vega Baja, and tomatoes from Mutxamel. It also covers seafood and inland yields from Santa Pola, Dénia, and Guardamar del Segura, alongside the keys sectors of textile, footwear, natural stone, toys, and other industries that form the province’s economic backbone. The monograph elevates the brand, value, and cultural projection of Alicante within Spain and on the world stage, while acknowledging contributions from a wide array of institutions and collections that enrich the narrative.
Similar to other editions, contributions come from distinguished professionals across different sectors, including Emilio Soler, Josep Lluis Santonja, Josep Bernabeu, Susana Llorens, Jose Ramon Valero Escandell, and philanthropist Maite Anton, among others, whose insights deepen the understanding of Alicante’s economic landscape.
One coordinator remarked that Canelobre presents the city in a way that allows Alicante to be experienced from multiple angles, noting the involvement of 141 municipalities across the province in shaping this publication. The editors and participants emphasize a shared pride in belonging to Alicante and its economic and cultural harmony sustained over two centuries, driven by traditional products and innovative industries that have become defining brands for the region on national and international stages.
Julia Parra highlighted the immense provincial wealth of the last two centuries, stressing how Made in Alicante draws close to the distinctive features that have shaped the local brand with care. The publication maps intersecting paths of entrepreneurship and innovation, giving a voice to people, experts, and organizations from around the world that have contributed to the region’s progress, while also celebrating the latest products and industries that continue to shape Alicante’s story.