From 7 to 10 May, the Spanish island of Menorca is hosting the first edition of an open, accessible photography festival dedicated to narrative photography and visual storytelling. A conversation with Jorge Delgado-Ureña, co-founder of The Raw Society, the organisation behind the project.
The Raw Society, the festival’s organiser, is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Can you tell us more about this international photography community?
It all started very naturally: we began organising meet-ups and online discussions about photography, and a community quickly formed. Then Covid hit, and everything grew exponentially. Today, we have around 350 members in 35 countries worldwide, many of whom will be joining us at the festival!
You already run workshops, publish work and collaborate on various events. Did setting up a festival feel like a natural next step?
One of the reasons we set up The Raw Society was precisely to have a presence in the real world, to have real-life experiences and tell real stories. Of course, the online aspect is important, but we’re always looking for ways to translate the sense of community and the talent of our photographers into something tangible, such as The Raw Society Magazine. During one of our conversations, we thought of the festival, and when we shared the idea with a few people, we found it was very well received. That gave us the energy to get started.
The Raw Society brings together established photographers and professionals, as well as emerging talents and amateurs. Will this spirit of openness and accessibility be reflected in the festival’s programme and format?
One of the things that sets this festival apart from others is the idea that photography festivals, particularly those focused on documentary and storytelling, are often aimed at professionals – ‘by photographers, for photographers’. We wanted to change that. Of course, we will be welcoming leading figures in photography, legendary photographers, publishers and curators, but we have sought to promote the event as something open to everyone, from all walks of life and of all ages. In addition to activities such as performances and discussions, we have designed the spaces as places for sharing where photographers and the public can interact, ask questions and understand what this world means to us as photographers, and how we work within it.
Storytelling and visual narrative are at the heart of The Raw Society. How does this come to life during the festival?
In a way, it reflects the spirit of our community. What everyone has in common is that they have something to say, stories to tell. The festival will be a reflection of that. The theme is storytelling, nothing more, nothing less!
The Raw Photo Fest aims to transform Alaior into a living gallery. How will this take shape?
The exhibitions will take place in more traditional venues such as galleries, but also in the streets, in squares, in private homes, garages… It’s a festival in which everyone can take part.
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