Category, is a member of the Management Committee and
Chairman of the Union Relations Commission; on the international arena,
he is a member of the board of directors of the European Alliance of
News Agencies (EANA) and of the Alliance of Mediterranean News Agencies
(AMAN), where he has the position of Vice President.
=============================
APS inks cooperation agreement with Gabon's AGP
ALGIERS- Algeria Press Service (APS) agency and the
Gabonese news agency 'AGP' signed Saturday, in Algiers, a cooperation
agreement on the exchange of media content and expertise.
The agreement was signed, on the sidelines of the 7th
Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), by the Director
General of APS, Samir Gaid, and his counterpart of AGP, Ghislain Ruffin
Etoughet Nzuet, in the presence of Mohamed Meziane, Director General of
Communication, Information and Documentation at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and National Community Abroad, who coordinated the conclusion of
this agreement, and the ministry's executives.
Under this agreement, the two agencies will exchange
important information contents concerning Algeria and Gabon and
strengthen media coverage of events in both countries, said the Director
General of the Gabonese agency.
In this respect, he underlined his agency's
willingness to conclude this agreement with APS, one of the 'pioneering'
press agencies in the African continent, in terms of media action,
qualified human resources, equipment, and technical capacities that 27
reflect Algeria's importance and position, as well as
its great renown on the international media scene.
He also hailed 'the joint and constant cooperation
with a distinguished agency as APS, which complements the fraternal
cooperation between Algeria and Gabon, as evidenced by historic
agreements.'
AGP's Director General commended 'Gaid's commitment
to discussing and approving the agreement mentioned above,' affirming
that AGP will spare no effort to 'revitalize this partnership and ensure
its sustainability.'
APS presents audiovisual broadcasting platform
ALGIERS-Algeria Press Service (APS) news agency
presented Saturday at its headquarters its platform for broadcasting
audiovisual content, as part of the adaptation of the agency to
technological and legislative developments in the audiovisual media
sector.
The platform presentation by the Director General of
APS, Samir Gaid, was attended by the Minister of Communication, Mohamed
Laagab, Advisor to the President of the Republic in charge of the
Directorate General of Communication, Kamel Sidi Said, the Acting
Chairman of the Independent National Broadcasting Regulatory Authority
(ANIRAV), the directors general of public and private media, as well as
experts and journalists specialized in audiovisual media. 28
The Communication minister commended this
achievement, calling it 'very important' as it comes 'shortly after the
launch of the Spanish version of the agency's website' on the occasion
of its 62nd anniversary.
'This platform is part of the development and
diversification of APS services,' said Laagab, calling the agency 'to
adopt an attractive marketing approach after the launch of this platform
for domestic subscribers and foreign news agencies, particularly those
with which the Agency has signed cooperation agreements.'
Laagab stated that 'this platform constitutes a
source of audiovisual content for private TV channels seeking to cover
local events,' praising APS and its staff for this achievement.
For his part, the advisor to the President of the
Republic in charge of the Directorate General of Communication also
congratulated APS DG and staff on this achievement which represents 'a
qualitative leap and the fruit of the agency's efforts.'
Strong and reliable public media outlets 'can act as
a driving force for all private media,' he stressed, wishing APS
'further success and achievements.'
'The platform mirrors the public authorities'
willingness to develop the audiovisual sector,' he continued.
The agency's achievement, presented at a consultation
meeting with the media stakeholders and partners,' signifies the
agency's commitment to offering complete media services in all fields
and via all supports and platforms,' stressed Gaid.
APS 'has trained a qualified and professional staff
capable of providing remarkable services in the audiovisual sector
through this platform to meet subscribers' needs and offer comprehensive
audiovisual content that will bring added value to the audiovisual
sector in Algeria,' affirmed the same official.
Minister of Communication opens training session for
sports journalists
ALGIERS- Minister of Communication Mohamed Laagab
chaired Monday, at the ministry's headquarters, the opening of a
training session for 50 sports journalists and news and television
presenters, to enhance the performance of national sports media.
In an address at the opening ceremony, attended by
the Minister of Youth and Sports, Abderrahmane Hammad, and managers of
media institutions, Laagab said 'training, in all specialties, is a
continuous and uninterrupted process, given the evolutions in all areas
of life, including media activity, the development of the means used,
the multiplicity of difficulties and the multitude of audiences.'
The minister deemed it 'necessary for journalists to
develop their skills through continuous training.'
He noted that the law on information in Algeria
'includes a clear and explicit article on the requirement for training
in media institutions, which have to allocate a specific budget in this
respect.'
Laagab emphasized his ministerial department's
efforts in 'providing support to media institutions for quality
training, allowing journalists to develop their knowledge and perfect
their working methods.'
He stressed that his ministry 'will continue to
organize such training sessions to promote the performance of national
media.'
The minister said a training session was held for 300
journalists before the 7th Heads of State and Government Summit of the
Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), held
in Algiers, as well as many seminars and meetings
with the participation of international experts to ensure quality
training.
=============================
ATA and ANA sign agreement on promotion of bilateral
cooperation
On the sidelines of the ABNA-SE General Assembly
meeting, the Albanian Telegraphic Agency and the Greek news agency, ANA,
signed a bilateral cooperation agreement, attached here the Diversity
Charter, an initiative of the European Commission for the promotion of
diversity in business.
General Director of the ATA Valbona Zhupa and her
Greek counterpart Aimilios Perdikaris signed the agreement in
Thessaloniki.
According to the agreement, the two news agencies
will cooperate closely for the media and photographic coverage and
follow-up of events from both countries.
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency and ANA have been
cooperating for several years, the exchange of news and photos included.
From March 20 to 23, in context of the presidency of
ABNA-SE, ANA organized a conference on the topic 'The role of news in
the new Balkan reality' with the participation of the Vice-President of
the European Commission Margaritis Schinas, academics, and
representatives of companies that play an important role in other
regions.
ATA and Belga News sign for first time agreement of
cooperation
For the first time, the Albanian Telegraphic Agency
(ATA) and the largest Belgian news agency, Belga News, signed a
cooperation agreement.
This bilateral agreement was signed by the General
Director of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency Valbona Zhupa and General
Director of the Belga News Patrick Lacroix.
The object of this cooperation agreement between the
two agencies is the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of
news exchange.
The agreement foresees not only the exchange of news
between the two agencies, but also of photos, which will enable the
citizens of the two countries to get to know more about the political,
economic, touristic, cultural and sports developments in Albania and
Belgium.
Zhupa and Lacroix appreciated rather important the
signing of this cooperation agreement, the first between the two
agencies and with an EU member country like Belgium, especially at a
time when public opinion is threatened by the phenomenon of fake news
and the world is transformed by artificial intelligence.
This agreement was signed at the headquarters of the
Belga News agency, where there are located even offices of the ENR,
europeannewsroom.com., the joint editorial
office of 18 European news agencies, European News
Room (ENR), where the Albanian Telegraphic Agency is part with full
rights.
ATA and Portuguese news agency sign for first time
MoU
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) has signed a
memorandum of understanding, which consists in cooperation and news
exchange with the Portuguese National News Agency, LUSA.
This memorandum of understanding was signed by the
Albanian Telegraphic Agency Director General, Valbona Zhupa, and the
president and chief executive director of the Portuguese National News
Agency, Joaquim Carreira, in Lisbon.
This memorandum, which marks a new stage in the
expansion of ATA's cooperation with the counterpart official news
agencies, also the first to be signed with LUSA, enables the exchange of
information.
The MoU envisages the exchange of news items and
photos between the two agencies, which will keep the citizens of both
countries up to date with the political, economic, tourist, cultural and
sporting developments in Albania and Portugal.
The heads of the two news agencies, namely Zhupa and
Carreira, during the meeting, underlined the importance of signing this
memorandum for the exchange of information, especially in the field of
tourism.
While Albania is establishing itself as a point of
reference through descriptions in important international media as an up
and coming tourist and agri-tourism destination, the MoU between ATA and
LUSA will serve to gain a better insight of the respective countries,
their traditions, culture , cultural heritage, history and cuisine.
ATA signs MoU with Azeri news agency, AZERTAC
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) signed a
Memorandum of Understanding for exchange of news with the Azeri news
agency, AZERTAC.
This MoU was signed in the Azeri city of Shusha by
the general director of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, Valbona Zhupa,
and the general director of AZERTAC, Vugar Aliyev.
This memorandum, which marks a new stage in the
expansion of ATA's cooperation with its counterpart official news
agencies, consists in exchange of news items and photos between the two
agencies.
Zhupa and Aliyev underlined the importance of signing
this memorandum for the exchange of information.
ATA and EFE sign Memorandum of Understanding
The Spanish news agency, EFE, and the Albanian
Telegraphic Agency, ATA, signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding,
which provides for the mutual exchange of a certain amount of their
information on a monthly basis for editorial use.
The MoU was signed at the headquarters of the EFE
agency, in Madrid, by its president, Gabriela Canas, and the ATA
Director General, Valbona Zhupa.
Also, present at the signing ceremony was the
ambassador of Albania in Madrid, Gazmend Barbullushi, who underlined the
importance of the agreement between the news agencies and their
contribution to the relations between the two countries.
The agreement also stipulates an exchange of news
items between their respective English departments for use in their
information services and publication on the relevant broadcast channels.
The agreement is effective for one year, after which
it can be renewed.
Tazpit Press Service and Albanian Telegraphic Agency
Sign Collaboration Agreement
Tazpit Press Service and the Albanian Telegraphic
Agency signed a memorandum of understanding in Jerusalem.
The ATA is Albania's official news agency and is one
of the top ranking news services in the Balkan region. The
Jerusalem-based TPS is the only Israeli wire service.
The content-sharing agreement includes free access to
all news materials. The agreement was signed by ATA General Director
Valbona Zhupa and TPS CEO Amotz Eyal in the presence of Albanian
Ambassador to Israel Dr. Bardhyl Canaj.
'This is a new chapter of cooperation,' said Amb.
Canaj. 'It will show to everybody a lot of things between our two
countries. A lot of people will have new windows to know what happens in
Albania and Israel.'
Eyal said, 'We are committed to sharing Israeli
technology and opportunities. Israel is trying to improve the world and
the way to work with each other. I am happy to look forward to many
years of working together.'
Director General Zhupa presents 2024 budget
priorities for 2024:
ATA, public news domain of future
TIRANA - The Director General of the Albanian
Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Valbona Zhupa presented the institution's draft
budget for 2024 in front of the members of the Parliamentary Committee
on Education and Public Information Means on Wednesday, focusing on ATA's priorities for the next year.
Speaking about ATA's performance, Zhupa pointed out
that the news organization is the main source of information collecting
and disseminating information and news in Albania and in the
international scene and remains the only official news agency in Albania
with its wire-service providing information inthree languages -
Albanian, English and French - and gathers information about a wide
variety of news events happening around the world in English, French and
Italian.
'ATA has established contractual relationships and
cooperates with around 40 international news agencies and media
partners. ATA is a full-fledged member of largest media organizations in
Europe and in a wider region, including the European Alliance of News
Agencies (EANA), Association of the Balkan News Agencies-Southeast
Europe (ABNA-SE|) or the Alliance of Mediterranean news Agencies
(AMAN),' Zhupa said.
She underlined that ATA staff make efforts not only
to inform correctly about the news events locally and internationally,
but also to cope with the challenge of 'fake news', a worrying
phenomenon around the world.
'ATA keeps providing and publishing on its official
website stories about political, economic, cultural, sport events,
feature stories, interviews and documentaries on tourism, as well as
translations from leading international media on top tourist
destinations in a bid to promote Albanian tourism at a local and
international level, being a trustworthy partner in building a brilliant
image of Albania as one the most sought-after tourist destinations in
the international market,' she added.
'Albania's membership in the European Union has
enhanced ATA's importance. The information we disseminate remains
unbiased, increasing the demand of European news agencies to sign
contractual relations with ATA,' she said.
ATA Director General also informed lawmakers in the
Parliamentary Committee on the Media about the cooperation agreements
signed in one year only, singling out the deal with the Portuguese news
agency LUSA, Greek news agency ANA MPA, Belgian news agency Belga News,
as well as with the Spain's international news agency EFE.
Zhupa also drew the lawmakers' attention to ATA's
full-fledged membership in the Brussels-based European Newsroom, a
unique project reflecting Europe-s spirit, where, together with 18 more
news agencies, ATA has continued the fact-based and independent
reporting of news and developments in the country.
She also noted that ATA has launched its first app in
the media market.
'ATA developed and launched a mobile portal for its
local and international readers, who can now easily access to the
agency's news text, photos and videos via mobile phones or other social
media and online platforms,' ATA Director General explained.
Pointing out the issues facing ATA, Zhupa underlined
that the news agency still operates according to a decree issues in 1954
and therefore demanded that new legislation is approved.
'We are working with a group of experts to draft a
bill on the functioning of ATA, seeking to draft a complex legislation
in order to optimize the approach towards a standard that will guide our
institution,' she said.
Zhupa called for the Committee members for a more
advanced technological infrastructure for ATA.
=============================
Vinicius, from Real Madrid, receives EFE Trophy
for best Ibero-American player of 2023
Brazilian Vinicius Junior received this Thursday,
from the president of the Spanish News Agency EFE, Miguel Angel Oliver,
and in the presence of Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, the
XXXIV EFE Trophy that credits him as the best Ibero-American player of
the year 2023.
'Vini', who obtains this recognition for the second
consecutive year, received the trophy that credits him in the trophy
room of the Real Madrid Sports City in the Valdebebas neighbourhood of
Madrid.
Vinicius is the ninth Real Madrid footballer to be
awarded the EFE Trophy for the best Ibero-American player, at the same
time that the white team itself, in the hands of its president,
Florentino Perez, collected the trophy that recognized it as the best
Ibero-American club of 2017 after then adding five titles in its soccer
section -League, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup
and Club World Cup- and another in basketball -Copa del Rey-.
This award has been won by six other Brazilian
players: Romario, Ronaldo Nazario, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho
and Casemiro.
Vinicius Junior was consecrated in 2023 as one of the
world's leading players. He scored 23 goals and 21 assists in the 55
games he played for Real Madrid.
Of these, his importance in key moments and
competitions stands out.
In the Champions League, he scored seven goals and
five assists; scoring or assisting in ten of the 12 matches he played.
He only missed one goal in the 33 minutes he played
in the group stage against Shakhtar Donestk and in the second leg of the
semifinals against Manchester City. In the Copa del Rey, which Real
Madrid won, he was decisive. Three goals and four assists in five games.
He only failed to contribute in the first leg of the semifinals against
Barca (0-1); but in the second leg, 0-4, he scored a goal and
distributed two assists. Vinicius also stands out for the way he plays
soccer. Bold, cheerful and with a sense of abandon. In 2023, taking into
account the five major leagues and the Champions League, he was the
player who attempted the most dribbles per 90 minutes (13.88). In total,
240 successful dribbles in the season, the most in the elite. Vinicius
has worn the Real Madrid shirt in 248 games.
Among the recipients of the prize are:
2009-10 Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona). 2010-11
Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona). 2011-12 Lionel Messi (Argentina,
Barcelona). 2012-13 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid). 2013-14
Diego Costa (Brasil-Espana, Atletico de Madrid). 2014-15 Luis Suarez
(Uruguay, Barcelona). 2015-16 Keylor Navas (Costa Rica, Real Madrid).
2016-17 Real Madrid. 2017-18 Edinson Cavani (Uruguay, Paris Saint-Germain).
2019-20 Carlos Henrique Casemiro (Brasil, Real Madrid). 2020-21 Luis
Suarez (Uruguay, Atletico de Madrid). 2021-22 Vincius Junior (Brasil,
Real Madrid). 2022-23 Vinicius Junior (Brasil, Real Madrid).
LINK:
https://agenciaefe.es/vinicius-recibe-el-trofeo-efe-a-mejor-jugador-iberoamericano-del-2023/
The president of the Spanish News Agency EFE
interviews the president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo.
The president of the EFE Agency, Miguel Angel Oliver,
has interviewed the president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo, in a
meeting in which the Latin American leader acknowledged that since he
took office, just a month and a half ago, every time they open 'the
drawers' in a ministry 'corruption cases jump out at us', and added that
returning transparency to the institutions will entail a 'gradual and
progressive' process. During the interview, which took place in Casa de America (in downtown Madrid) and the first carried out by Oliver in EFE
since he is president of the company, Arevalo pointed out that his
government fights the gang phenomenon 'within the framework of full
respect for human rights' and bet on maintaining dialogue at a technical
level between the countries of Central America to facilitate regional
integration in the economic and people's sphere, while waiting for the
process to be transferred to the political field, and expressed his
support for maintaining dialogue at a technical level between the
countries of Central America to facilitate regional integration in the
economic and peoples' sphere, while waiting for the process to be
transferred to the political field.
Arevalo endeed in Madrid his first European tour
since he came to power last January, with a visit to Spain during which
he met with King Felipe VI and the head of the Spanish Government, Pedro
Sanchez, as well as with Spanish businessmen.
'When corruption enters a country in a systematic
way, it reaches all institutions and corrodes them, but it should not be
mistaken to think that all state officials are equally corrupt, many
come to give information because they feel liberated,' said Arevalo
during his participation in what is called the EFE Tribune, conducted by
Oliver.
The president gave as an example of the current
situation in Guatemala the dismissal of the head of the Directorate
General of Civil Aeronautics, Francis Argueta, in which 'we had a
combination of incompetence and corruption'.
'Not only was there a total abandonment of the
function of effective administration of the country's air and airport
security, but there were also mechanisms that allowed
the operation with impunity of certain networks and
mechanisms through which it was allowed that there were no entries and
exits monitored,' he said. On how his foreign policy will be in relation
to Nicaragua, the president said that it is necessary to 'develop
strategies to keep alive and active that objective of regional
integration that we have maintained and with which we have operated for
some time'.
'At this moment, the conditions in the region do not
allow a political dialogue to take place, because there are problems
even in terms of the extent to which some of the countries comply or do
not comply with the very conditions that were established in the
Tegucigalpa Protocol', he added without mentioning a specific country.
The 1991 Tegucigalpa Protocol was signed by the
Central American countries to form the Central American Integration
System (SICA). It is a legal instrument to facilitate regional
integration in a harmonious and balanced manner based on the principles
of freedom, democracy and human rights.
On the other hand, when asked about the situation in
Venezuela, a country that plans to hold elections this year without
having clarified whether the opposition will be able to participate, the
president of Guatemala said: 'more than referring to the specific case
of Venezuela, we understand as a fundamental principle valid for the
whole world the need to have public institutions that defend the rights
and freedoms of all people'.
He also recalled his father Juan Jose Arevalo, the
first democratically elected governor of the Central American country.
'In the figure of my father there is inspiration and
commitment,' he said, in addition to noting that he was a 'statesman
with a deep commitment to the principles of democracy and social
justice.'
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
Finally, the president attributed the consolidation
of his mandate, despite the impediments, to a mix of support from the
international community and the Guatemalan society 'whose determination
was key to free itself from the suffocating embrace of corruption'.
Spain's support, which he described as 'fundamental',
was reflected in the meeting he held with businessmen in Madrid and with
King Felipe VI and Sanchez. 'The State is going to be making very
significant infrastructure investments for development in the most needy
areas of the country (which correspond mainly to those where the native
peoples live). We need to make large investments, and these are
opportunities where we can count on national and international private
capital. Spain can have the legal certainty to work together', he
concluded.
LINK.
https://agenciaefe.es/el-presidente-de-la-agencia-efe-entrevista-al-presidente-de-guatemala-bernardo-arevalo/
King of Spain Journalism Awards, created by EFE in
1983,
recognize commitment to social issues
The King of Spain International Awards for Journalism
have recognized, in its 41st edition, works committed to society that
help to raise awareness about problems such as child abuse or the
climate crisis.
The awards, the most prestigious in the Ibero-American
field, have gone to investigative, daring and participatory journalism
that, with innovative formats, gives a voice to the victims of these
problems.
These annual awards, created in 1983 by the Spanish
News Agency EFE and the Spanish Agency for International Development
Cooperation (Aecid), promote the best journalism in Spanish and
Portuguese that shows the reality of the Ibero-American community.
Narrative Journalism
The report 'El gran padrino', prepared by a team of
investigative journalists from the Ecuadorian newspaper La Posta, has
won in Narrative Journalism for 'the great impact it had on the
political life of Ecuador', as it contributed to the political trial
against former president Guillermo Lasso.
The jury, made up of renowned journalists from
different countries, highlighted 'the difficulty of denouncing
corruption in Latin America', together with 'the originality' of the
work, the 'risk journalism' and the 'enormous investigative effort'.
A team of nine journalists from La Posta, led by
Venezuelan Andersson Boscan, followed the case for seven months to
compile in a multimedia website the work of these young professionals,
who, despite receiving threats, did not stop until they discovered the
truth.
Ukraine, chronicle in images of a year of war', by
the Spaniard Diego Herrera Carcedo, was the winner in Photography for
'perfectly reflecting the death and precariousness' of the conflict
unleashed by the Russian invasion.The work, published in Revista 5W, is
'a call to not forget the war', according to the jury.
A work 'in times of war', which contributes to 'raise
awareness of a conflict that affects us all', he stressed.
Ibero-American Media
Mutante, from Colombia, won the Ibero-American Media
Award for developing 'a new type of journalism that goes beyond the mere
publication of investigations' and in which 'interaction with the
public' stands out.
The jury recognized its work as the first digital
movement of citizen conversation in Latin America.'We were born as an
independent alternative to confront polarization, fake news, click
tyrannies and 'public agendas' fabricated by private interests,'
defines the media, which believes 'in participatory
journalism as a tool for social change.'
Cultural
The Spanish podcast 'El puzle Voynich', created by
Toni Martinez at Cadena SER radio station, has won the Cultural Award
for being 'an interesting encyclopedic work' and 'a cultural object in
itself'.
'El puzle Voynich' combines journalistic and
fictional techniques to narrate, from 40 interviews in five countries,
the departure of the Invincible Armada and the entry into the cabinet of
wonders of Rudolph II of Prague, among other events. 'It's a very good
work that has the tone of a radio serial,' added the jury on the use of
radio theater tools that help keep the listener's interest.
The podcast uses the supposed search for a medieval
book as a narrative thread, with a mix of genres to create mystery and a
very elaborate sound design.
Environmental Journalism
The documentary 'Pampa seca', from the Argentine
newspaper La Nacion, won the prize in Environmental Journalism for a
work on drought, with a very close narration to reflect a common problem
in the world.Text, photo and video about a historic three-year drought
in Argentina, with heat waves and extreme temperatures, which caused a
50 percent drop in agricultural production in the country, where the
countryside generates the main income.Pampa seca: the faces and stories
behind the worst drought in history' includes testimonies, comparative
photographs, data and videos.
International Cooperation and Humanitarian Action
The Mexican work 'Depredadores en las aulas',
published in El Universal in alliance with Connectas, has won the prize
in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Action for describing the
'terrifying reality' of children and adolescents who are victims of
sexual crimes committed by school personnel.
'Very well documented, it makes it clear that the
problem is in the inner circle', in the opinion of the jury, because 'to
think that there are places where you take your children to class' that
'is like taking them to torture and rape breaks the soul'.
This work by Alejandra Mabel Crail Perez and Daniela
Guazo Manzo denounces 'the lack of interest, opacity and institutional
neglect towards students assaulted by school personnel'.
In addition to the 10,000 euro prize, which places
them on an equal basis with the Pulitzer Prize, the winners will receive
a sculpture by the artist Joaquin Vaquero Turcios from the hands of the
King of Spain, Felipe VI.
LINK:
https://agenciaefe.es/los-premios-rey-de-espana-de-periodismo-reconocen-el-compromiso-con-los-problemas-sociales/
Remembering the images of 11M, an obligation to the
victims
To remember, to remember as an obligation to the
victims, to be with them and their pain, and to thank all those who
turned out to help and show their solidarity on Thursday, March 11,
2004, when the Madrid train bombings took place. That is the aim of the
exhibition '20 years of 11M. Memory of pain and solidarity', organized
by the Foundation and the Memorial Center for Victims of Terrorism with
67 photographs of the EFE Agency, which opened on the Armeria Square in
Madrid, next to the Royal Palace.
Remembering because 'we cannot forget', said the
Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who presided over
the event held in the Royal Collections Gallery and in which he insisted
on combating the mechanism of protection of our memory that erases
painful memories.
The photographs, selected by EFE journalists Laura
Camacho and Sagrario Ortega from among the more than 25,000 that the
agency's collection of documents related to the 11th of march bombings
preserves, are, according to Marlaska, 'a valuable support to fill the
holes in our memory'.
Marlaska thanked the affection with which Camacho and
Ortega have made the selection of the exhibition and 'the clean look'
with which the two journalists of the EFE Agency have undertaken this
exercise of memory that he has described as an obligation for public
authorities and for citizens in general.
To remember the images of the rickety trains in order
not to forget the magnitude of the barbarism; to remember the faces and
feel the pain with them, to ask why again.
And the victims are the center and the protagonists
of this exhibition, because they are 'the symbol of our democracy,' as
Juan Francisco Benito, the new president of the Federation of Victims of
Terrorism (FVT) and, above all, father of Rodolfo, murdered that
Thursday 20 years ago, said in his speech. 'Remembering is a duty,' he
insisted.
To remember also hundreds of people filling up in a
few hours the blood donation stations; to remember the firefighters,
policemen, health personnel, psychologists, cab drivers, bus drivers or
those who held the hand of some of the most seriously injured and
accompanied them in the stations in their last moments of life.
Madrid gave a lesson in solidarity but, as Sagrario
Ortega recalled, '11M did not stay in Madrid'.
The affection came from all over Spain and from other
countries in the form of demonstrations, messages, candles lit in the
streets, or in more concrete ways, such
as the photo of the helicopter about to land with
blood donated in Santiago de Compostela (northeast of Spain).
The exhibition also recalls the police investigation,
the trial, the congressional commission, jihadist terrorism... the eight
blocks into which the exhibition is divided contextualize the attacks in
all these aspects.
As a closure, the exhibition includes an In Memoriam
with the names of the 193 murdered for whom it was conceived. A
tribute,' said Laura Camacho, 'to the victims and to those three words
that they always repeat and that today we make our own: 'Memory, Dignity
and Justice''.
This exhibition is one of the first events that
Madrid will host to commemorate the 11M attacks and the European Day in
Memory of the Victims of Terrorism; it can be seen until March 21 in the
Plaza de la Armeria and between March 8 and 31 in the Maruja Mallo hall;
then it will travel to Vitoria.
LINK:
https://agenciaefe.es/recordar-las-imagenes-del-11m-una-obligacion-con-las-victimas/