"Periferia" at Casa Fabiola
The Seville Fair Through the Poetic Lens of Julien Soulier
By A FLAMENCO CATHARSIS
Photography Julien Soulier
coproduced by LEPLATÓ
Powered by ICAS - Ayuntamiento de Sevilla
The Seville April Fair (Feria de Abril) is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic and photographed events in the world. Ruffles, golden albero sand, horse-drawn carriages, and festive casetas dominate the traditional postcards. However, what happens on the margins of the celebration? What remains when the loudest echoes fade and the Fair transitions from a public showcase into an intimate experience?
This is exactly the premise of "Periferia" (Periphery), the captivating photographic exhibition by renowned French photographer and director Julien Soulier. Hosted at Casa Fabiola in Seville from April 20 to May 3, 2026, and promoted by the Seville City Council's Tourism and Culture Department in collaboration with the creative agency A Flamenco Catharsis, this pop-up exhibition invites us to rediscover the great Sevillian festival from an unprecedented, silent, and visually poetic perspective.
If you are looking for the best cultural plans in Seville during the pre-Fair and Fair season, "Periferia" stands out as an absolute must-visit.
What is "Periferia"? The April Fair Beyond the Clichés
In a society saturated with stereotypical images, Julien Soulier offers a necessary visual respite. "Periferia" is conceived as a unique look at the limits and contours of the Seville Fair. Through an intimate, quiet, and almost invisible approach, the French artist consciously steps away from clichés to portray that "other" Fair.
The periphery, in this context, is not just understood as a geographical concept (the outskirts of the Real or the surrounding streets), but as an emotional viewpoint. Soulier captures the moments when the party ceases to be a performative stage and transforms into a genuinely lived experience. It is in those moments of exhaustion, of lost gazes, of quiet preparation before stepping onto the sand, or the early morning walk home, where the photographer finds the true human essence of the event.
Julien Soulier's Timeless Gaze
The work of Julien Soulier has always been characterized by blurring the boundaries between cinema, fashion, and documentary formats. His visual aesthetic possesses a deeply cinematic and evocative narrative, focused on revealing the extraordinary within the mundane. In "Periferia," his photographs carry an enormous human weight. He does not judge or intervene; he simply observes and documents the naked truth of those who inhabit the festival, bringing a contemporary sensitivity to one of Andalusia's oldest traditions.
A Perfect Synergy: Soulier and A Flamenco Catharsis
The success and depth of this exhibition cannot be fully understood without the collaboration of A Flamenco Catharsis. This editorial platform and creative agency, driven by Lolo González, has consolidated itself in recent years as an absolute benchmark in the contemporary exploration of flamenco and Andalusian culture.
Their mission to connect the flamenco discipline with the international cultural and artistic sphere aligns perfectly with Soulier's vision. Together, they ensure that "Periferia" is not just a photography exhibition, but a living dialogue about the identity of Seville, translating local roots into a visual language that can be understood anywhere in the world.
Casa Fabiola: The Contrast Between Costumbrismo and the Avant-Garde
The choice of venue to host the exhibition is no coincidence. Casa Fabiola, home to the Mariano Bellver and Dolores Mejías Art Donation, is the quintessential sanctuary of Sevillian romantic and costumbrista painting. Introducing Julien Soulier's contemporary photographic work within the walls of this emblematic building in the San Bartolomé neighborhood generates a fascinating contrast.
As Angie Moreno, the City Council's Delegate for Tourism and Culture, pointed out during the presentation, this exhibition "reinforces the commitment to artistic proposals that dialogue with Seville's identity from current languages, expanding the way we understand and share our culture." 19th-century art and 21st-century documentary photography face each other, proving that tradition and the avant-garde are two sides of the same coin.
A Historic Opening: Live Art
The presentation of "Periferia" on Sunday, April 19, was not just another protocol event; it was a true declaration of intent. True to the spirit of the project, the opening was accompanied by live performances that made the courtyard of Casa Fabiola vibrate.
Great names of contemporary and roots arte jondo, such as Carmen Ledesma, Rycardo Moreno, José Luis Pérez-Vera, and Lori la Armenia, gathered to provide a live soundtrack to Soulier's images. This meeting between visual art and live flamenco highlighted the cultural wealth that the Seville Fair holds, extending far beyond its purely festive and popular aspects.
Practical Information for Visiting "Periferia"
If you want to immerse yourself in this unique vision of the Fair, here is all the information you need for your visit:
Location: Casa Fabiola (Mariano Bellver and Dolores Mejías Space, romantic and costumbrista collection), Seville.
Dates: Monday, April 20 to Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Admission: Completely free for residents of Seville.
Why you should go: To discover an April Fair away from the crowds—poetic, intimate, and with cinematic quality.
Do not miss the opportunity to experience "Periferia". It is the perfect chance to rediscover Seville through the eyes of Julien Soulier and get ready for the Fair with a soul full of contemporary art.
