The Save the Photos project, led by the University of Valencia, is working to recover and restore family photographs damaged by the devastating DANA storm that struck the Valencian Community on October 29, 2024. The storm’s impact was catastrophic, with at least 235 fatalities and more than 60,000 people affected across 78 municipalities.
Beyond preserving photographs, the initiative provides emotional and social support to the affected community. “Saving these images is more than rescuing memories, it’s about restoring identities, strengthening social ties, and offering hope”, organizers explain. By preserving this visual legacy, the project aims to rebuild a sense of belonging and connection.
A multidisciplinary team of experts and volunteers is currently working in six laboratories across the region to stabilize and restore thousands of damaged photographs. The meticulous process, which includes drying, freezing, and carefully cleaning each image, could take years.
The initiative urgently needs support – both in materials and funding – to continue its work. A fundraising campaign, led by Debbie Hess Norris from the University of Delaware, has been launched to help sustain the project.
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