El Poble Nou de Benitatxell experienced an emotional day yesterday afternoon with the inauguration of ‘Art al carrer’, the travelling pictorial exhibition on loan from Picanya’s Women’s Association that transforms the urban centre into an authentic open-air gallery. The event, which was attended by residents and visitors, marked the institutional start of the II Literary Festival ‘Literatura a la fresca’, organised by the Council – through the councillorships of Culture and Equality – and the association of Clasicas y Modernas.
The call began with speeches by municipal authorities, representatives of Clásicas y Modernas and the Associació de Dones de Picanya. Afterwards, the entourage and the attendees made an itinerant tour to the Town Hall to contemplate up close the 101 works of feminist art that adorn the balconies of the town.
One of the most emotional moments of the afternoon was the recognition of the historical and human value of this edition. Many of the paintings on display are canvases rescued from the mud after the tragic DANA of October 2024 in Picanya. The marks of water and mud that still remain yesterday on the street became a powerful visual testimony of resistance, reconstruction and collective dignity. The event also had the support of prominent participating artists such as Inma Liñana, Visa Proming, África Abril, María Escalona, Loles Grau and Giacomo Pennichi, author of the well-known mural of the Municipal Library.
During the opening ceremony, the Councillor of Equality, Isa Garrido, thanked Dones de Picanya for their generosity in sharing works that «are not just paintings, but testimonies of life, creativity and self-improvement that remind us that art is also memory, resistance and hope». In addition, he highlighted in collaboration with Clásicas y Modernas and the artists who «give a voice to women and fill the streets with beauty and vindication«, inviting citizens to «enjoy the festival and build the world from respect, equality and solidarity».
For her part, Marina Gilabert, representative of Clásicas y Modernas, pointed out that this exhibition opens the doors «to memory, sensitivity and commitment to a fairer society», highlighting an art that «challenges and makes visible the voices, experiences and contributions of women». Gilabert highlighted the special importance of this edition due to the resilience shown behind the DANA: «Overcoming a trauma does not mean erasing what happened, but transforming pain into strength. These 101 works are 101 reasons to look forward, towards a culture without exclusions and a future where women are protagonists.»
Likewise, Xelo Sánchez Vivó, president of the Associació de Dones Picanya, recalled the trajectory of this initiative, which this year celebrates its 14th edition, reaffirming «the importance of using art as a fundamental tool to empower women and give them the visibility they deserve in society». He also wanted to highlight the great collaboration and involvement of all the participating artists, «whose talent and commitment make it possible for this project to continue growing and taking its message of protest to other towns and streets».
Culture does not stop: upcoming events of the II Literary Festival
After this grand opening and the children’s sessions of Respirant Literatura, the programme continues at an intense pace during the following days. The next important event will take place on Monday, August 17th at 10:00 p.m. at the Church Square, where the awards ceremony of the VII Micro-Story Contest Un poble que escriu i viu will be held, an event in which the winners will publicly read their texts.
The following day, Tuesday, August 18th at the same time, Trinquet street will host a special literary evening dedicated to ‘Female writers of the Generation 26 and writers of the 27’, while on Thursday, August 20th, poetry will take over with the traveling recital ‘Poems in the streets, artistic creations that speak’ that will tour the decorated streets of the municipality.
The culmination of the festival will take place on Friday, August 21st at 8:00 p.m. at the Social Centre, with a powerful day structured in three main blocks. The afternoon will begin with the space Veus del nostre poble, which will feature the participation of Jacinta Pastor, Ana Torres and Miquel Almenara. This will be followed by a tribute to Francesc Almela i Vives (1901-1967), designated Writer of the Year 2026 by the Valencian Academy of Language (AVL). To close the night, the round table ‘When our Marina becomes High Literature’ will be held, moderated by Jovi Lozano and with the presence of three of the great figures of current Valencian literature: Mar Busquets, Pepa Guardiola and Elvira Cambrils.
All festival activities are completely free and open to the public. The organisation invites residents and visitors from all over the region to continue going out to the streets to enjoy these nights of literature, art and coexistence outdoors.
