Views: 3

The Maó Harbour Narrative Photography Competition is entering its final stage. The competition, promoted by the Recuperem el Port de Maó campaign, will close its submission period next 15 September. There is therefore just over a week left to go out and photograph the bay and submit your images.

These days, during the Festes de Gràcia, people joyfully sing the city’s anthem. In honour of the verse that mentions the harbour as an essential part of Maó, we encourage everyone to go out for a walk and photograph this “puerto de mar a pie”.

The natural bay of Maó harbour is home to great richness and diversity. From the shallow-water coves that provide shelter for interesting biodiversity, to the small and humble shoreline architecture, traditional boats and the historic bathing areas of Es Castell. These are natural, cultural and social elements that explain the relationship of generations of Menorcans with the harbour.

In order to preserve this heritage and the treasure represented by the bay, it is necessary to prioritise other values beyond economic growth and market dynamics. Management focused mainly on economic profitability may end up displacing traditional uses, transforming the landscape and increasing pressure on marine ecosystems.

Precisely, the Competition seeks to invite citizens to look at the harbour with critical and sensitive eyes and, through photography, to explain the processes of transformation taking place in the bay, as well as the values that deserve to be known, cherished and preserved.

The competition is not only looking for aesthetic images, but for photographs capable of telling a story about a reality and generating reflection.

To take part, simply follow the instructions set out in the Competition rules and submit your photographs before 15 September.

The initiative has the collaboration of MARE, the Audiovisual Competition for the Conservation of the Balearic Sea, and is promoted by the four organisations behind Recuperem el Port de Maó: Associació d’Amarraments Públics Es Jonquet, Amics de la Mar–Port de Maó, Casetes de Vorera de Menorca and GOB Menorca.

With this initiative, the organisations aim to strengthen the population’s connection with the harbour and raise collective awareness of the need to preserve its natural, cultural, heritage and social values.