Showcasing work side by side with Martin Parr and Don McCullin: An artisan's account of shared space
The 2025 La Gacilly Photo Festival, Europe's largest open-air photography event, is set to take place from June 1 to October 5, with a focus on the theme "SO BRITISH!" This year's edition promises to delve deep into British culture and identity through the lens of photography.
The festival, held in the picturesque village of La Gacilly, France, will feature works from some of the genre's most iconic British photographers, including Don McCullin, Martin Parr, and Peter Dench. Known for their unique ability to spotlight human courage, vulnerability, and the social realities of Britain with a refined and often critical eye, these photographers will provide thought-provoking reflections encouraging new awareness.
Legendary photojournalist Don McCullin's retrospective will be a key highlight, showcasing his work that goes beyond mere documentation to critique war's absurdity, social exclusion, and the fragility of landscapes and communities. McCullin's oeuvre is presented as a reflection encouraging new awareness.
Martin Parr will be involved in discussions such as the "United Kingdom: Unfiltered and Free Photography" talk, alongside Don McCullin, Peter Dench, and Mary Turner. This event promises to emphasize contemporary and historic British photographic perspectives.
In addition to the SO BRITISH! section, the festival offers a variety of other features. Public artist meet-and-greets during the opening weekend, debates like “Perspectives on Africa,” and presentations such as the 2025 Roger Pic Prize awarded to Véronique De Viguerie are all part of the festival's lineup.
The festival takes advantage of La Gacilly’s outdoor spaces, transforming streets, gardens, and riverbanks into galleries with oversized photo installations. This immersive setting accentuates nature and culture, making for an unforgettable experience.
Aside from the festival, Don McCullin has been sharing stories of his boyhood shenanigans, including scrapes, brawls, and looting. He has also expressed questions about his mortality, choices, achievements, and the value of a 70-year career in photography.
The writer, who was covered in black marker pen during a book and catalogue signing session, will be participating in AP's Festival of Photography - Documentary edition on 9 August at the Royal Geographical Society in London. Each exhibitor at the festival gets to plant a tree, and the writer chose an alder tree.
Established in 2004, the La Gacilly Photo Festival emphasizes art's role in raising awareness about pressing global issues. Festival founder Jacques Rocher can often be found posing for photos, handing out macaroons, and planting trees with photographers.
In the book's introduction, Don McCullin expresses his admiration for the marble sculptures of the heroes of antiquity and their preservation. His wife, Catherine Fairweather, advised against giving him one of the writer's photo books due to his dislike for carrying them home.
McCullin embarked on a journey 25 years ago to create a cultural and architectural survey of the remains of the Roman Empire, which was published in the book "The Roman Conceit." Despite his discard of accolades, his contributions to photography and journalism remain undeniable.
References: [1] La Gacilly Photo Festival Official Website [2] The Guardian [3] British Journal of Photography [4] The Telegraph [5] The Art Newspaper
- The La Gacilly Photo Festival, featuring works from iconic photographers like Don McCullin and Martin Parr, will provide insights into British culture and identity, making travel to this event an opportunity to immerse oneself in a unique lifestyle.
- During his participation in the "United Kingdom: Unfiltered and Free Photography" talk, Martin Parr is expected to discuss contemporary and historic British photographic perspectives, offering travelers a chance to learn about the British lifestyle through photography.
