Feb 16 • 04:30 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

Spanish Stereotypes Embrace Diversity

The book 'Esto es España' revisits Spain's aesthetic and cultural stereotypes, showcasing racialized individuals as central figures.

The book titled 'Esto es España,' created by photographer Sergio Pontier and stylist Juanjose Mouko Nsue, challenges traditional Spanish stereotypes by featuring individuals from diverse racial backgrounds. Through powerful visual storytelling, the book presents a series of photographs that blend iconic elements of Spanish culture, like flamenco attire, with the identities of the models, who reflect a multicultural Spain. It highlights a new narrative that emphasizes inclusivity, revealing that various races and ethnicities are integral to what defines Spain today.

The artwork showcases images where traditional Spanish elements coexist with modern expressions of identity, such as a black man wearing a flamenco hat or a young boy combining a traditional shirt with contemporary American streetwear. These representations aim to confront longstanding perceptions of Spanish identity that often exclude or misrepresent the contributions of racialized communities. The creators hope to provoke a wider discussion about cultural representation and the evolving understanding of national identity in a multicultural society.

Published in November with a limited run of 250 copies, the book quickly sold out, indicating a strong public interest in depictions that reflect Spain's diversity. This trend not only invites appreciation for the richness of Spanish culture but also suggests a shift in societal attitudes toward representation and the recognition of a more inclusive national identity that celebrates both historical roots and contemporary realities.

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