The Cabildo de La Palma, together with the Afoto Association and through the Fotonature project managed by the public company Sodepal, is organising the XXXIX Annual Congress of the Spanish Confederation of Photography (CEF), which will be held on the island from Wednesday 16 October until Friday 18. The event brings together more than 200 photographers from all over Spain, Andorra and Italy, both professionals and amateurs, in a meeting that combines nature, art and culture through a full programme of activities.

The president of the Cabildo, Sergio Rodríguez, explains that the holding of this congress consolidates La Palma as a point of reference for photography and visual creation, while at the same time providing an economic stimulus for the cultural, tourism and service sectors. "With actions of this kind, we reinforce our projection as a destination that unites culture, landscape, starry skies and creative talent, also promoting a development model that values our natural resources and the identity of La Palma", says the president.

Miriam Perestelo, Councillor for Economic Promotion of the Cabildo de La Palma and CEO of Sodepal, assures that a congress of this magnitude "is important because it makes La Palma the epicentre of national photography, attracting professionals and amateurs who contribute to projecting the image of the island as a destination of reference for creativity, culture and sustainable tourism". 

Moreover, Miriam Perestelo points out, the CEF generates "a significant economic and promotional impact, strengthening the external projection of La Palma and fostering the exchange of experiences and knowledge among creators from all over the country".

The presentation of the event was attended as collaborators by representatives of the town councils of Breña Alta, Breña Baja and Santa Cruz de La Palma, as well as the president of the Asociación Fotográfica Afoto La Palma, Rubén López, the president of the Federación Fotográfica Canaria, Tomás Vento, and the head of exhibitions of the Confederación Española de Fotografía, María Luisa Amaya. 

"The presence of so many photographers will have a positive effect on La Palma because of the large number of images of the island that will later be published in different places," says Vento. 

The Cabildo de La Palma is grateful for the collaboration of all the entities involved in the realisation of this event, where the island will be the focus of photography at a national level. 

About the XXXIX Annual Congress of the Spanish Confederation of Photography

The programme kicks off this Thursday 16th with the screening of the documentary Hypnotic. The volcano of La Palma. A drone's eye view at the Hotel Taburiente in Los Cancajos, an audiovisual piece produced by members of the Confederation itself. On the same day, the FIAP Room will be inaugurated at the Museo del Puro in Breña Alta, a space endorsed by the International Federation of Photographic Art, which will become part of its international network of rooms dedicated to the promotion of photographic art.

On Friday 17th, the attendees will visit the Roque de Los Muchachos and its Visitor Centre before moving on to the Todoque area, where they will enjoy a traditional Palmero lunch at Finca El Moral, next to the lava flows of the Tajogaite volcano. In the afternoon, the Palacio de Salazar will host the inauguration of the National Awards exhibition, which brings together the winning works from the CEF's internal competitions and will be attended by the international president of the Confederation.

On Saturday 18th, the 39th General Assembly of the CEF will be held at the Hotel Taburiente in Los Cancajos and, in the afternoon, the Teatro Circo de Marte will host the awards ceremony for around 80 photographers in a gala that will close the day with a closing dinner at the Real Club Náutico de Santa Cruz de La Palma.