Salou's mayor, Pere Granados, addressed residents on 1 May to recognise International Workers' Day, emphasising the essential contributions of citizens to the municipality's progress. He also inaugurated an art exhibition and awarded prizes at the 16th 'L'institut Emprèn' competition for young entrepreneurs.
Mayor Granados stated that "the well-being and development of Salou would not be possible without the daily effort, dedication, and commitment of all those who work, in any field, to advance our city." He added that this collective effort forms the basis of a more cohesive, prosperous society with opportunities.
The mayor extended his recognition to all professional sectors, both public and private, as well as self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs. These groups actively contribute to boosting the local economy and improving the quality of life for residents, according to Granados. The Town Council remains committed to promoting policies that support employment, equal opportunities, and social progress.
'In Our Skin' Exhibition Opens
On 30 April, the 'En la nostra pell' (In Our Skin) exhibition by Reus-born artist Queralt Osorio opened at Torre Vella in Salou. Mayor Granados and the Councillor for Cultural Services, Julia Gómez, attended the inauguration.
The exhibition is an intimate display featuring 38 mixed-media and acrylic works. These pieces are rich in symbolism concerning the female body and invite reflection. The exhibition will run until 31 May.
Mayor Granados described Osorio's work as "magnificent and exceptional" due to its uniqueness, quality, sensitivity, and intense emotional content. He noted that the female body, from a natural perspective, "is the origin of life." Granados also highlighted Torre Vella's importance as a historical landmark and exhibition space.
Councillor Gómez commented that the exhibition "invites us to look beyond the surface, to listen to what we feel, and to recognise what moves us as people." She characterised Osorio's art as "sensitive and profound, open to individual interpretation." Gómez also pointed out the prominence of women in the exhibited works, used as a vehicle to communicate feelings such as passion, loneliness, or pain.
Cinta Mata, the exhibition's curator, referred to the female body as a "process" suspended "in a space between the visible and the invisible." She described 'skin as a map and a constantly transforming landscape', where the artist reinterprets femininity. Queralt Osorio explained that her work uses women, femininity, and the female sex as a starting point to address various complexities women face throughout their lives, from an intimate perspective. Osorio stated, "This project approaches female sexuality from a real place, far from eroticism and simplified representations of desire."
Queralt Osorio, born in Reus in 1978, is a painter and sculptor. She has held solo exhibitions in Reus, South Korea, Cambrils, Tarragona, Riudoms, and Segovia. Her work has received national and international recognition, particularly in South Korea, where she has won several awards at the Geoje International Art Festival. Osorio also develops projects in editorial illustration, artistic mediation, and curatorship, promoting collective processes that expand her artistic practice into spaces of dialogue, body, and critical thought.
Young Entrepreneurs Recognised
Also on 30 April, Salou Town Council presented awards for the 16th 'L'institut Emprèn' ideas competition. Students from Escola Elisabeth, Institut Jaume I, and Institut Marta Mata participated, developing business projects focused on sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility.
The jury evaluated 37 projects from 109 students in their first year of batxillerat (baccalaureate) and vocational training cycles. The judges praised the high standard of all proposals, noting a particular emphasis on social aspects. The awards ceremony took place in Sala Europa, presided over by Mayor Granados. The Councillor for Economic Dynamisation, Hèctor Maiquez, and the directors of the participating schools, Carmen Moreno (Institut Marta Mata), Enric Masià (Escola Elisabeth), and Carmina Fallada (Institut Jaume I), also spoke.
Mayor Granados encouraged the students to "continue taking risks and learning," reminding them that "Salou is a place full of opportunities and open to investment." He highlighted the Town Council's commitment to "continue investing in talent and training to achieve the best possible future for young people." Granados also commended the focus of most projects on "improving people's well-being."
Councillor Maiquez offered the Town Council's support for students to continue learning and achieve their career goals. He added that the council would always support entrepreneurs and projects important to society. The winning projects addressed various issues, including technological solutions, cultural reinforcement, tourism innovations, and sustainable habits. The competition aims to foster young talent and their connection to the municipality, strengthening their sense of belonging.
Award Categories and Winners
The competition was divided into two main categories, one for batxillerat students and one for vocational training cycles. Within each category, three recognitions were awarded: Most Socially Responsible Project, Most Innovative Project, and Best Developed Project. First and second prizes were given for each subcategory, resulting in a total of twelve awards.
Separately, landscaping work is underway at the junction of Camí del Racó de Salou and the Salou-Tarragona motorway, a key access point to the municipality. This project involves creating new flowerbeds with Mediterranean vegetation, chosen for its climate adaptation and low maintenance. The aim is to transform this area into a more attractive, organised, and integrated entrance to Salou. The work includes soil improvement, efficient irrigation systems, and the addition of plants to provide colour, volume, and visual continuity, enhancing the town's landscape identity. This intervention will also reduce water consumption and promote biodiversity with native coastal species. The Town Council continues to improve urban quality and re-naturalise public spaces, highlighting their value.
