"Salou. Golden Modernism” wins the Souvenir Art award of Salou 2026

Salou. Costa Dorada. 14 February 2026. Helena Frías' proposal around the modernist and noucentista heritage of Salou has been the winner of the second edition of Souvenir Art 2026, the contest promoted by the Chair of Tourism Innovation and Research of Salou. With the title "Salou.Modernisme Daurat", the proposal includes the main and best known modernist and Noucentista buildings in Salou.

The jury has made the decision unanimously. He highlighted from the winning proposal his ability to synthesize the best known architectural heritage of the municipality located preferably on Passeig Jaume I. He has also recognized the design and viability of its reproduction in an affordable way. 

"Salou. Golden Modernism” is a double-sided document folded in accordion that represents the 8 most emblematic buildings of modernism and noucentisme in Salou:

1. Bonet chalet or Voramar
2. Villa Enriqueta
3. Torremar Chalet
4. Miarnau-Navàs Chalet
5. Villa Rosa chalet
6. Chalet Loperena
7. Miarnau-Ciurana chalet
8. Apartment building Sol i Mar

Behind the drawing of the façade of each building there is information from the architect and the owner who promoted the construction, as well as an inspiring phrase. The inclusion of a QR code for more information completes the proposal.

The author of “Salou. Golden Modernism" explained that she is from Mora and that as a child she was already walking through Salou with her family and always admired the modernist buildings that make Paseo Jaume I so unique and special. For this reason, she did not doubt the theme when making the proposal.

Helena Frías also explained that she has spent some time researching and documenting the history of the modernist buildings of Salou in order to elaborate her proposal, emphasizing above all the details of each facade. 

During the award ceremony, the head of the Chair of Tourism Innovation and Research of Salou, Marta Nel·lo, highlighted the high participation and growing interest in the creative sector when it comes to reinterpreting the heritage of Salou and giving it a new perspective.

For his part, the president of the jury, Jordi Tresseres, director of the Cultural Heritage, Creativity and Tourism Laboratory and UNESCO Consultant on Culture, Tourism and Sustainable Development, stressed the quality of the works presented at this edition of Souvenir Art, and the difficulty in selecting the winning proposal.

The mayor of Salou, Pere Granados, congratulated the winner and thanked the interest of all participants for the proposals presented.

Granados recalled that Salou has a long history that translates into a rich heritage that covers the Neolithic, including the Greeks and the Romans to the present day. 

Of the 43 proposals presented, 5 were rejected for not adjusting to the theme of this edition, focused on the historical and architectural heritage of Salou. The rest are exhibited at the Xalet Fort until February 26. The exhibition can be visited from Monday to Saturday from 9.45 a.m. to 1.15 p.m.

"Salou. Golden Modernism” wins the Souvenir Art award of Salou 2026