The TRAVESÍAS exhibition, organised by the Government of the Canary Islands, has received 1,942 visitors at Casa África, exceeding the usual average for the entity.
A total of 1,942 people have visited the TRAVESÍAS exhibition, which has been open for nearly two months at Casa África in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The exhibition, promoted by the Government of the Canary Islands, features the testimonies of 13 migrant minors who are currently under the care of the autonomous community, through the texts of journalist José Naranjo and the photographs of Juan Luis Rod.
The Deputy Minister of the President's Cabinet, Octavio Caraballo, highlighted on Thursday that the number of attendees exceeds the average of other exhibitions held in the same space, which demonstrates, in his opinion, “the sensitivity of Canary Island society towards the migratory drama.” Caraballo recalled that the Canary Islands have been a gateway for thousands of African migrants for over three decades and that the citizens have always responded with solidarity.
The exhibition was inaugurated on May 11 and closed on June 30. In it, the minors recount in the first person their migratory experience, the integration process in the islands, and their relationship with their families in Africa. Among the stories included are that of a girl who dreamed of playing football and was mocked in her village, that of an orphan who wandered for four years across the continent, and that of a teenager who escaped from a forced marriage at the age of 13.
Caraballo emphasised that TRAVESÍAS is the first exhibition that directly gives the voice to the boys and girls so that they can be “the protagonists of the narrative.” He also valued the role of the media and the authors in raising awareness about the migratory reality and the need for this phenomenon to be addressed as a matter of State and of the European Union, not just by border communities.
The Deputy Minister recalled that to advance in this direction, it has been necessary to amend the Immigration Law and go to the Supreme Court. The exhibition not only includes the testimonies of the minors but also those of their families, who often see the journey to Europe as the beginning of a new life.
The exhibition consists of nearly a hundred photographs by Juan Luis Rod and texts by José Naranjo. It is complemented by a photo book and an audiovisual work that delves into the more personal and emotional aspects of the young people. The images depict the minors in various moments of their daily lives in reception centres, as well as in activities such as Canarian wrestling or surfing, which are part of their integration process.
According to the Government of the Canary Islands, the aim is for the exhibition to travel to different islands in the archipelago after the summer, although dates and venues have not yet been confirmed. The initiative has received the collaboration of Casa África, which has provided its facilities for the exhibition.
The 13 featured minors come from five different African countries and have been welcomed in eight centres spread across four islands. The exhibition aims to offer a comprehensive view of who they are, what stories lie behind each of them, what they left behind, how they arrived and why, as well as what their dreams are and the difficulties they face.
José Naranjo, a journalist specialised in migrations, has stated that “the full integration of these boys and girls into our society also depends on understanding their journey.” The exhibition seeks precisely to bridge the gap between Canary Island citizens and the reality of these minors, many of whom have experienced extreme situations before arriving in the islands.
The visitor figure, close to 2,000, represents a public success for an exhibition of this nature, which has managed to mobilise a significant number of people interested in learning firsthand about the experiences of migrant minors. The Government of the Canary Islands positively values the reception and hopes that the tour across the islands will reach an even broader audience.
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