The Pilgrims' Way to Santiago

Alliance Française Eildon Gallery. A selection from the photographic exhibition  MEMORIES OF A PILGRIMAGE by photographer Manuel Valcárcel and musician Alejandro González.  

Entry free. From Tuesday 23 Oct to Fri 09 Nov.

The Pilgrims’ Way to Santiago, the First European Cultural Itinerary, is one of the greatest treasures shared by all Europeans. Part of the cultural and moral heritage not only of the West but of the whole of mankind, this ancient route has been followed by millions of people from the Middle Ages until the present day.

The photographic exhibition Memories of a Pilgrimage reflects the recent journey made by photographer Manuel Valcárcel and musician Alejandro González, along a pilgrimage route that boasts a long-standing history buried deep in the roots of tradition.

This exhibition portrays an intense journey filled with experiences that take us through Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy, France, Northern Spain and along the Pilgrims’ Way in Galicia. A unique pilgrimage in which both artists draw attention to situations and circumstances that impact directly on the lives of those that live along the pilgrimage ways and the simple lifestyle of the towns and cities on the route.  

In 2010 and 2011 this exhibition completed its own pilgrimage to several European cities – Sofia, Bucharest, Zagreb, Santiago de Compostela-, before continuing in 2012 to visit France and now Australia.  

European cultural centres of Melbourne will all gather to present a part of European common history, identity and culture. The exhibition is a travel from one European country to another. Each centre in Melbourne will thereby show its leg of the pilgrimage. The Alliance Française de Melbourne will present around 25 photographs of France and Spain, the Goethe-Institut the photos of Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria and the Italian Cultural Institute the photographs of Slovenia and Italy.

This exhibition is a EUNIC (European Union National Institutes of Culture) event. It has been initiated by the Consulate General of Spain in Melbourne and and part of the exhibition will also be presented at:

● Goethe-Institut Australia: Level 1, 448 St. Kilda Road,Melbourne/ 18 Oct - 15 Nov

● Italian Cultural Institute - 233 Domain Road, South Yarra -  25 Oct - 15 nov