SPK Photo Festival
Photography and Visual Arts Festival in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
2026
About SPK Photo Festival
Every year, the SPK Photo Festival brings together amateur and professional photographers in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, in the heart of the Basque Country, for a month-long celebration of photography and the visual arts through exhibitions, workshops, screenings, and concerts. Organized by the SPK Elkartea association, the festival showcases a dialogue between the works of its members and those of guest artists, displayed in local shops, the media library, and historic landmarks such as the town hall market hall, the Prison des Évêques, and the citadel. The popular photo marathon, where the theme is kept secret until the day of the event, takes place every year in early September.
SPK Photo Festival — edition 2026
For its 3rd edition, the SPK Photo Festival explores the theme of "Metamorphosis" from August 29th to September 26th, 2026, in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This month-long celebration of photography and visual arts features exhibitions by members and professional artists, a secret-theme photo marathon, a cinema-themed evening, and a closing auction.
Exhibitions and city trail
Works by members of SPK Elkartea will be displayed in local shops and the media library, including Eztika, Alimentation Paris, Hôtel Ramuntxo, Le Chat Perché, Café Ttipia, Charlotenia, and the Aihena wine cellar. Two professional exhibitions round out the trail: Nora Houguenade at the town hall market hall, and Franck Chipouka and Emma Barthère at the Prison des Évêques.
Photo totems will be set up at the public garden, the citadel, the skatepark, and the Roman bridge, with photo collages featured in the station district, the Jai Alai, the citadel, and the historic center.
Programme SPK Photo Festival 2026
Saturday, August 29th, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Festival opening: inauguration, discovery walk, and drinks · Place de la Mairie, Salle d'Honneur
Sunday, September 6th, 2026
- 2:00 PM–5:00 PM — Photo marathon: open competition, theme revealed on the day, registration €10 · Place de la Mairie
Saturday, September 12th, 2026
- 6:00 PM–midnight — Metamorphosis of La Borde (SPK, UPPB, Charlotenia): exhibition, screening, fire show (weather permitting), archaeological drinks, and concert · Maison Charlotenia
Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
- 2:00 PM–5:00 PM — Visual arts workshop with image-maker Claude Billés, 3-hour duration, fee €10 · Jai Alai, Salle Estrella
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Meet-the-artist evening: screening of the film "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" by Sepideh Farsi · Cinéma Vauban
Saturday, September 26th, 2026
- 4:00 PM–10:00 PM — Festival closing: photo auction, concerts, screening, and refreshments · Covered Market
Full program published by the SPK Elkartea association (source: official festival flyer, spkelkartea.com).
Prices SPK Photo Festival 2026
Where does it take place — SPK Photo Festival
SPK Photo Festival in brief
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