Photo exhibition 'Mariscadoras' by Adrián Baúlde

The Civil Society Organisations' Group will organise a photography exhibition in the framework of its extraordinary meeting on EU food sovereignty: the role of agriculture, fisheries and consumers linked to the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The works will be exhibited from 26 September until 2 October 2023 at the CINC building of the City of Culture of Galicia in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, the cultural centre hosting the Group's conference.The exhibition will be opened during the lunch break of the conference, which creates a unique platform to present the exhibition to a large audience. The Group will organise this cultural activity in collaboration with the City of Culture. Given the particular venue of the conference, which hosts the best of cultural expressions of Galicia, Spain, Europe, Latin America and the World, the Group decided to exceptionally organise its annual cultural activity abroad.

The exhibition will present a part of the series Mariscadoras by the Galician artist Adrián Baúlde. The series pays tribute to shellfish gatherers and their role in the local food system. Enduring unfavourable working conditions, the mostly female shellfish gatherers put the wealth of the region on the plates and contribute to other tasks. In addition to collecting the product, their work includes tasks such as cleaning shellfish beds, semi-cultivation to improve production, and activities relating to the care, protection and monitoring of shellfish banks.

The exhibition will complement and support the Group's and the EESC's work on resilient and sustainable European food systems. The photo provide insights into the needs of this specific sector. It is therefore a creative way to address topical issues that are crucial for civil society and therefore for the EESC. The content and profile of the exhibition promotes Spanish culture and supports the younger generation of artists in the country.

Author of the exhibition: Adrián Baúlde / Text: Patricia Villanueva / Printing: Axeitos &Co / Organisation: Civil Society Organisations' Group, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) / Collaborator: City of Culture of Galicia

Thanks: to the shellfish gatherers of Cambados and to the people who contributed to the design and implementation of this exhibition and report.