The Festival of Silence brought two intense days of art, emotion, and citizen participation to a close last night with the awards ceremony for the 1st International Human Statues Competition, held this weekend on Calle Real, as part of the Christmas program organized by the Department of Festivals of the Arrecife City Council, headed by Deputy Mayor Echedey Eugenio.
The first prize went to The Wishing Tree, by artist Aleix Grau Armenteros, which captivated the public with a proposal full of symbolism and sensitivity. The second prize went to Inspiration, by artist Marta Llopart Estrems, while the third prize was shared, after a tie in the popular vote, between Centaur, by artist Jorge Omar Balmaseda Rojas, and Gaudí, by Dan Borràs Viaplana.
The awardees received monetary prizes of 300, 200, and 100 euros, respectively. The first prize was presented by the deputy mayor and councilor for Festivals, Echedey Eugenio; the second by the councilor for Youth, Seniors, and Housing, Rosmen Quevedo; and the third, corresponding to the tie, by the councilor for Cleaning and Animal Welfare, Jacobo Lemes.
During the award ceremony, Echedey Eugenio thanked "the involvement and enormous talent of all the participating street artists, who came from different countries, as well as the public's response, which not only attended but also interacted, felt, and voted, becoming an essential part of the festival." The councilor also highlighted that "it has been a very original, different, and exciting activity, which has shown that street art has a great power of attraction and that this is a project with a commitment to continuity."
The Festival of Silence transformed Calle Real into a cultural meeting space for two consecutive afternoons, where 17 international artists brought unique characters to life through mime, gestural theater, and body expression. The magic of silent art enveloped residents and visitors, generating moments of wonder, emotion, and direct connection between performers and audiences of all ages.
Echedey Eugenio has underlined that initiatives like this “are an original and effective way to liven up the city during the Christmas holidays, betting on accessible, visual, and participatory culture, which invites us to stop, observe, and feel”.
After the great reception and enthusiasm experienced during both days, the Festival of Silence bids farewell, leaving an emotional mark on the city and aspiring to consolidate itself as one of the most unique cultural offerings of Christmas in Arrecife, with an eye toward future editions.