The second edition of the LASAL Mediterranean Festival of Journalism and Photography is set to transform the town of El Masnou into a hub of critical discourse and visual storytelling from June 11 to 13. Designed to bridge the gap between complex global events and the general public, the festival offers a robust, free program that tackles the most pressing issues of the modern era. From the devastating realities of the war in Gaza to the existential urgency of the climate crisis and the pervasive spread of digital disinformation, the event serves as a platform for rigorous, ethical journalism intended to restore public trust in the media.
The festival’s inaugural session promises to be both poignant and intellectually stimulating, featuring a conversation between renowned actor Eduard Fernández and the authors of Menu of Gaza, Dalia and Kayed Hammad. Their book, which chronicles the resilience of a Palestinian family navigating survival through communal cooking amidst the horrors of war, was recognized with the prestigious Ortega y Gasset and Zampa prizes. By centering these personal narratives, LASAL sets a tone of human-centric reporting that remains constant throughout the three-day agenda, inviting attendees to engage with the individuals behind the headlines.
Spread across various landmark locations in El Masnou, including Cinema La Calàndria and the shores of Ocata beach, the festival offers a diverse schedule of talks and workshops. Significant focus is placed on the modern “infodemic,” with sessions like “La Buloteca,” powered by the Maldita Foundation, alongside insights from filmmaker and YouTuber Carles Tamayo, who will dissect the anatomy of modern hoaxes. Simultaneously, the festival elevates the dialogue on environmental journalism, hosting an international panel of reporters from around the globe to discuss how to craft cross-border narratives concerning the escalating climate emergency.
Literary contributions also form a cornerstone of the event, with various high-profile authors and photojournalists presenting works that document human endurance and political crisis. Òscar Camps, founder of Open Arms, will join photojournalist Santi Palacios and editor Leopoldo Blume to discuss Open Arms: A mission against the current, a decade-long chronicle of humanitarian efforts in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, journalist Óscar Martínez will present Bukele, the naked king, a sobering analysis of authoritarianism in El Salvador, written by the author from his position in exile.
Professional development remains a core pillar of the LASAL experience, catering specifically to the needs of students and career journalists operating in an evolving media landscape. The program includes practical workshops such as “Pasta para periodistas,” which provides guidance on securing funding for independent media projects. Additionally, the festival provides a rare opportunity for emerging documentary photographers to participate in portfolio reviews, opening professional doors for those seeking expert critique from established industry figures like Gorka Lejarcegui, Sofía Moro, and Ana Palacios.
Finally, the festival aims to democratize access to the arts through an inclusive range of educational and community-oriented activities. By turning El Masnou into an expansive, open-air gallery, the festival incorporates urban photographic interventions and traditional craft workshops, such as cyanotype printing, to reach a broad audience. Through this blend of high-stakes reporting, professional training, and community engagement, LASAL reaffirms the vital importance of quality photojournalism as a tool for both understanding the world and maintaining a healthy, informed democratic society.