The poster of the XXIV Biennial of Flamenco The mayor of Seville presented the new mayor on the morning of Wednesday, January 14th. Jose Luis Sanzand the author of the work, the photojournalist Emilio MorenattiThe event took place at the presentation Destination Seville which the City Council has carried out on the occasion of the activities that it will carry out in Madrid at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) from January 21 to 25.
Sanz emphasized that it demonstrates “the photographer’s ability to capture the naked truth of art.” jondoThis event marks the start of the countdown to the event that will turn Seville into the world epicenter of art between September 9 and October 3.
Luis YbarraThe director of the Biennial emphasized that Morenatti's work is not just a poster, but "a visual testament that places the Biennial in a new dimension." He stated, "If in the announcement of his selection we spoke of a declaration of intent, today we are faced with a palpable reality: Morenatti's gaze has managed to capture the most human essence of flamencostripping it of artifice to show its universal power".
Morenatti is one of Spain's most prestigious photojournalists, currently head of the Associated Press photography department for Spain and Portugal. Raised in Jerez de la Frontera, his career is distinguished by a profound human sensitivity in his coverage of disasters and armed conflicts in places like Pakistan, Gaza, and Afghanistan. Throughout his career, he has faced extremely dangerous situations, including a kidnapping in Gaza in 2006 and an attack in Kandahar in 2009 that resulted in the amputation of his foot. He has been awarded two Pulitzer PrizesThe first in 2021, in the reportage photography category, for his moving coverage of the impact of COVID-19 on the elderly in Spain; and the second in 2023, in the breaking news category, as part of the AP team that documented the war in Ukraine. In addition to these achievements, he has received accolades such as the World Press Photo, the Ortega y Gasset Award, and was recently commissioned to design the poster for the Biennial of Flamenco from Seville 2026.
The presented work reflects Morenatti's unmistakable style: a composition where light and emotional narrative take center stage. After months of work and immersion in the universe flamencoThe photographer has captured an image that blends contemporary aesthetics with traditional depth. The absolute protagonist has been... Aurora Vargas, which puts a face to the complexity of the challenge.
"The work reflects Morenatti's unmistakable style: a composition where light and emotional narrative take center stage. An image that unites contemporary aesthetics with traditional depth. Aurora Vargas gives a face to the complexity of the challenge."
In the center of the image, her face emerges from absolute darkness in a gesture of intense emotional surrender, with her eyes closed and her expression raised towards the light. embodying the passion and sensitivity that define this universal artThe masterful use of lighting highlights the textures of the clothing in shades of green, while at the top, a hand-drawn, organic typeface, created by Pedro Cabañas, announces the XXIV Biennial of Flamenco, integrating the power of documentary photography with a visual identity that transcends advertising to become an exceptional work of art.
This photograph will go down in the city's history as the symbol of a Biennial that looks to the future without losing respect for its roots. Morenatti gifts us a work of art that projects Seville to the world through sensitivity, commitment, and excellence.
During the presentation, the photographer expressed his gratitude and acknowledged the complexity of the challenge: “I have tried to apply the same honesty with which I cover a conflict or a social reality to portray the soul of the flamencoFor me, this poster is a dialogue between the respect I have for this art and my own way of understanding photography as a vehicle for truth. It is an honor that my goal serves as a gateway to the Biennial and to Flamenco".
With the unveiling of the poster, the Biennial adds another masterpiece to its historic art collection and graphic catalog. Emilio Morenatti officially joins the ranks of legendary artists who have illustrated the exhibition, such as Antonio Tàpies, Luis Gordillo, Lita Cabellut or Rafael Alberti, contributing for the first time the highest level of journalistic and artistic photographic language to the official image.
The XXIV Biennial of Flamenco Thus, it continues its roadmap towards an edition that promises scenic excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to humanity's living heritageFollowing the unveiling of the poster, the city is already preparing for the next big event: the reveal of a program that will once again bring together the leading figures of the genre. cante, the dance and the playing. ♦
