On 14 August 1998, the renowned photographer Xavier Miserachs passed away prematurely.

Strongly linked to the Empordà since the 1970s when he crafted several reports related to the incipient rise of tourism that would end up permanently transforming the region’s society and landscape, Xavier Miserachs (Barcelona, 1937-1998) created a bond with our region that transcended the professional sphere, thanks to his open, amiable and restless nature. After a series of successive visits, in the 1980s Miserachs settled in Esclanyà. Moved by his innate curiosity, Miserachs actively participated in Palafrugell’s cultural life, where he met collaborators and faithful friends.

One year after his death, these friends paid homage to him by hosting the grand opening of the I Biennal de Fotografia Xavier Miserachs.

Over several editions, the Biennal de Fotografia Xavier Miserachs has showcased works by the beloved artist and other photographers from his generation, as well as internationally renowned artists who influenced Miserachs and his colleagues and younger photographers who have approached this artistic discipline as a way of life. In parallel, the Biennal conducts important work in recovering unknown archives that are important for their artistic, cultural and historical value.

The Biennal de Fotografia Xavier Miserachs pursues a number of essential objectives: to promote photography as a form of artistic and cultural expression among the general public, to showcase our important photography legacy, to support young photographers, to recover the work of local amateur and professional artists who have documented the life in our region from oblivion and to contribute to visual education.

We actively collaborate with a wide array of cultural institutions from Palafrugell, photographic archives, foundations, museums and other entities dedicated to photography, and we rely on the support of the Palafrugell City Hall, the Banco Sabadell Foundation, the Government of Catalonia and the Regional Government of Girona, which are all essential to achieving these goals.

The growing number of visitors, a greater international presence and its massive impact have turned the Biennal de Fotografia Xavier Miserachs into a renowned festival and one of the oldest and most established events in Catalonia.