By: Juan Ariel Toledo Guerra
More than 90 participants from Canada, Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and Cuba participate in the X edition of the Underwater Photography Festival, Fotosub 2019, recently opened at the Hotel Jagua, of the Meliá Internacional chain, of Cienfuegos, and which has as headquarters to the International Diving Center of Faro Luna.
Mario Cáceres, national director of Marinas y Náuticas Marlin S.A., stressed that the event organized by the Ministry of Tourism is a space that shows Cuba as an ideal destination for diving, due to the excellent natural conditions for that activity.
This Wednesday began the competition dives in four points selected by the technical commission and participants can opt for several awards in the categories of environment, environment with model, macro and fish, in addition to the novel action camera for new photographers.
In a previous press conference, Ernesto Manzanares, director of the International Diving Center of Faro Luna, explained that the event grows in participants, with the presence of multi-award-winning photographers in international competitions, champions of other editions of Fotosub and a Luxury jury.
This year, as a novelty, the Faro Luna prize will be presented for photography that reflects the beauty and originality of the Cienfuegos seabed and will serve as a promotion for the next event. “We intend to highlight the submerged heritage of Cienfuegos as part of the province’s identity,” said Manzanares.
The event began on the Isla de la Juventud and a year ago it arrived in Cienfuegos to stay permanently in the central south of Cuba. It will run until October 26, when the winning photos will be rewarded that will serve to promote Cuba as an ideal diving destination.
In Faro Luna there are several attractions such as caves, canals, cracks and labyrinths, as well as more than 10 sunken ships in good condition, which makes this area one of the best for diving in the largest of the Antilles .
The jury of Fotosub 2019 is made up of:
Marcel Oliveiro Carnet: Architect, graphic and editorial designer, and underwater photographer. Diving instructor of the American Canadian Underwater Certifications (ACUC) with 10 years of experience. Jury of the main underwater photography events in Cuba. Co-author of the ACUC Photography Manual that is used in more than 15 Spanish-speaking countries.
Omar García Valenti: He has 27 years of experience in professional photography. He is a member of UNEAC, belongs to the Cuban Fund of Photographic Image, the Ibero-American Photography Fund, and the UNESCO Photography Club. He has had several exhibitions in multiple countries such as Sweden, Ecuador, United States, France, etc.
Héctor Sardiña de la Paz (Pachanga): He started as a photographer at the Prensa Latina agency in 1984. He has more than 30 years of experience in photography and 20 in diving. You have been multi-awarded in various competitions.
