Every December 28th, the streets of Ibi, in the province of Alicante, become the stage for a surreal “battle.” La guerra della farina is the heart of Els Enfarinats, an age-old rite where the social hierarchy is overturned through fierce satire and a battle fought with flour, eggs and firecrackers. In this reportage, I wanted to document the chaotic energy and plastic beauty of a tradition that celebrates the overturning of the established order.
Working at the heart of this event means immersing myself totally in the action: the lens was not a mere observer, but an active participant, capable of conveying the dust, the noise and the frenzy of an incredible day lived directly on the front line.
The Aesthetics of Chaos: The photographic research focused on matter and gesture. The flour that saturates the air becomes a painterly element, turning the participants into living sculptures. I sought to capture the intensity of expressions beneath the masks and extravagant costumes, isolating moments of pure visual abstraction in the midst of the urban "war." Every shot bears witness to the visceral force that animates this popular festival.
Video Storytelling: At the Heart of the Battle: The video component was essential in conveying the frenzied rhythm of the event. Through direct footage shot while the battle raged, I wanted the viewer to feel the roar of the firecrackers and the joyful chaos of the streets. The video allows the experience to be lived firsthand, completing the photographic narrative with the sound and kinetic dimension needed to grasp the scale of this one-of-a-kind event.
Creating a project like La guerra della farina requires speed of execution and a technique capable of withstanding difficult environmental conditions. The integration between fotografia e video stems from the desire to offer a total vision of this Spanish tradition, combining the rigor of social reportage with the spectacle of folklore. My commitment was to translate into images the force of a rite that, amid dust and laughter, continues to redefine the meaning of community and freedom.
