Reus has a long photographic tradition. Some kind of competitions is known to have taken place at the beginning of the 20th century. Six annual photographic competitions took place in the 1960s. This fact was due to the presence of photographic groups integrated in different cultural associations. The result of this special concern resulted in the unification of small groups in order to form the Agrupació Fotogràfica de Reus in 1962. Now the AFR has almost no activity but the hard work of Josep M. Ribas and a reduced group of people facilitated the creation of the Centre de la Imatge Mas Iglésies de Reus (CIMIR). Considering that municipal management rules this centre, it is considered one of the most important places in our country regarding archiving and dissemination of photographs.

This intense activity resulted in the creation of two MFIAP, one EFIAP, two AFIAP, one HonEFIAP, and one EsFIAP in Reus.

Meanwhile, the Club Natació Reus Ploms pushed forward the organization of an international photography exhibition focused on sport, an initiative dating from 1952. This exhibition was FOTOSPORT, first convened in 1970 and nowadays celebrates the 22nd edition.

Through FOTOSPORT have arisen two new initiatives, two exhibitions that are trying to continue with the projection of Reus and Catalonia through Europe and the rest of the world from the photographic point of view.

From 2012, we count with the Saló Europa, and the GaudiRfoto from 2013. The combination of these three exhibition places will make our city present in the photographic calendar of all over the world.

Josep M. Casanoves Dolcet, AFIAP – EsFIAP
Reus – Catalonia