This week we went to the city of Perpignon, about 90 minutes away, and took in the inspiring Visa Pour L'Image (translated as the International Festival of Photojournalism). This was the 21st annual showcase of the best work of photojournalists from around the world, with awards presented in different categories. The photos are exhibited in wonderful venues throughout the core of the city, so we were able to park the car and walk to the sites we wanted to see.
My personal favourite was an exhibit by a photographer named Brenda Ann Kenneally entitled "Upstate Girls - What Became of Collar City". To me, the photos were like a train wreck you could not look away from - a photo story of various single mothers living in poverty in Troy, NY (a city with mainly a minimum wage service-sector economy) raising their kids in dismal conditions with little stimulation. Ted liked the photo exhibit showing the inside of Guantanamo by Brennan Linsley. Mitchell was most intrigued by the display of a photographer named Callie Shell (Time magazine). Her photos documented many candid moments during Barack Obama's campaign, concentrating on the two years leading up to his becoming President. Jackson most liked the Sports photos, especially one of Usain Bolt winning a race.
The videoclip above was something we came across on the Internet that prompted us to make the trip to Perpignon. I have to say, I hope the field of photojournalism never dies. I think we need to see these photos of what's happening around the world.
And here are some of our photos from that day. Perpignon is very close to the border of Spain and, as a result, has a lot of Catalan flavour. Catalan is even spoken here. Before Perpignon became part of France, it was Catalonia's second city after Barcelona. A beautiful city - we could have easily spent more time here.
