Les Barques Beach in L'Escala will host a new monument dedicated to the renowned 'esquenapelats' (back-pushers). This historical nickname refers to the fishermen who exerted physical effort to move boats across the sand before the port was built. The winning artwork aims to evoke this maritime legacy.
The proposal by Josep Maria Viaplana Nogué and Esther Tenedor Solsona was chosen from 27 submissions. The design depicts several generations of fishermen pushing a vessel, a gesture symbolizing both individual exertion and the shared strength crucial to traditional seafaring work.
This project originated from a participatory process involving over a thousand residents who requested that the seafront area be enhanced with an artwork linked to L'Escala's maritime history. The municipal competition sought sustainable, durable proposals that would harmonize with the environment, with a maximum budget of 55,000 euros.
The sculpture, titled Esquenapelats, will be constructed from small welded metal pieces, creating a texture that changes with light. The artists explain that the assembly of small parts represents collective strength, mirroring that of the former fishermen. The artwork will be publicly displayed, interacting with the urban landscape and daily traffic.
“"A necessary tribute to all the people who have dedicated and dedicate themselves to fishing, and also to the port function that this space had for many years."
This sculpture is part of L'Escala's broader initiative to revive and highlight its maritime heritage, including the Anchovy and Salt Museum and the Salt Festival. The piece will serve a dual purpose: beautifying public space and acting as a permanent reminder of the collective labor that shaped the town's seafaring life.
The new sculpture is expected to be installed by autumn, transforming the roundabout on the Beach into a memorial site. It will connect with the iconic photograph by Vernon Richards, illustrating the bent bodies and straining backs pushing the boat forward.
