Nuria Alzaga, deputy mayor and delegate for Culture, announced the winner. Alzaga highlighted the contest's strong standing and vitality, stating that "reaching the thirty-fifth edition speaks of a fully consolidated contest, but above all of a competition that remains alive and maintains its capacity to attract new perspectives and artists from very different backgrounds." She emphasized the event's connection to Irun: "'Adour-Bidasoa' also has an identity strongly linked to Irun: it was born with a cross-border vocation and continues to be, 35 editions later, a cultural meeting point on both sides of the Bidasoa River."
The delegate added that "there is also something very beautiful about this contest: each edition leaves a mark on the city." The winning artwork becomes part of the municipal heritage, "and therefore, the heritage of all the people of Irun." Furthermore, the selected works "meet the public through the exhibition at Amaia KZ." "Culture is also built this way: by creating, sharing, and growing a heritage that remains for the city," she concluded.
Alzaga congratulated Francisco Javier Garrido Romanos on winning first prize, along with the other awardees and finalists, and thanked everyone who participated. "That after 35 editions we continue to receive submissions, also from young artists, is good news and encourages us to continue nurturing and growing this contest," she stated.
This year, a total of 40 works were submitted from various locations: 27 from Gipuzkoa, 3 from other parts of Euskadi and Navarra, 4 from the rest of Spain (Segovia, Valencia, La Rioja, and Málaga), and 6 from France. The participation of four young artists was also noted.
The prizes for this edition included: first prize, 2,500 euros and a plaque, for "La higuera" (Francisco Javier Garrido Romanos, from Calahorra); the special jury prize, 500 euros and a plaque, for "Zintzilik (470 manómetro)" (Naiara Goikoetxea Guzmán, from Hondarribia); and the young artist award, 500 euros and a plaque, for "Pétalo" (Nerea Iridoy Silvo, from Hondarribia).
Finalist diplomas were awarded to Emilio Martínez Navascues (Irun), Eduardo Larrasa Espino (Hondarribia), and Sofía Arostegi Parra (Hernani).
The exhibition will open on Friday, September 11th, at 7:00 PM in the exhibition hall of the Amaia KZ and will run until October 4th. The opening hours will be Tuesday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Sundays from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. It will be closed on Mondays.
