The Albera Interpretation Centre in La Jonquera will host the photographic exhibition “Corkmaking: Taps, Fires and Midwives” from 26 June to 30 September, an exhibition by Robin Townsend Pi-Sunyer that recovers, through photography, the memory of one of the most emblematic landscapes and trades of the Girona region.
The exhibition, curated by Lluís Serrano, professor at the University of Girona and specialist in cork heritage and culture, is organised by the Chair of Cork Studies at the University of Girona, the Cork Museum of Catalonia and the City Council of La Jonquera.
The opening will take place on Friday 26 June at 6pm at the Albera Interpretation Centre, in an event open to all citizens.
The exhibition brings together a selection of images captured during the 1970s and 1980s that document, with an ethnographic and human perspective, different aspects linked to the world of cork. The photographs portray the cork factories, the work of the corkers responsible for extracting the cork and the impact of forest fires on this unique ecosystem.
Beyond their documentary value, the images stand out for their artistic quality and their ability to convey the relationship between people and the territory. Through Robin Townsend’s lens, the visitor will be able to discover a reality that has been part of the economic, social and cultural identity of the Empordà and the lands of the Albera for generations.
The mayor of La Jonquera, Míriam Lanero, highlights that “this exhibition allows us to recover and enhance the memory of a landscape and trades that are part of our identity. It is an opportunity to better understand the historical relationship between people and the territory, and to reflect on the importance of preserving this natural and cultural heritage”.
For her part, the councilor for Tourism and Economic Promotion, Lluïsa Macias, points out that “this exhibition is an excellent opportunity to publicize a heritage closely linked to our territory and our history. Proposals like this contribute to enriching the cultural offer of La Jonquera, attracting visitors and reinforcing the role of the Albera Interpretation Centre as a space for disseminating and discovering our environment”.
The exhibition is part of the outreach initiatives promoted by the Chair of Cork Studies and the Cork Museum of Catalonia to raise awareness of the importance of the cork sector and the heritage associated with Mediterranean cork forests.
The visit is free and suitable for all audiences.
Visiting hours
Albera Interpretation Center (Carrer Major, 2, ground floor)