As a result of the harsh inertia generated by a rock, the "Memorial María Luisa of Mountain Slides" was born at the end of 1990.

      After ten editions, one must look back to be able to make progress. It is necessary to go back over the trodden path, to contemplate the landscapes, the people, the valleys and the mountain peaks that we have discovered over a decade. To relive and try to share sensations, memories and experiences. All in all, to travel and climb "the mountain" once again. A mountain which is much more idyllic than physical. A mountain formed by light, shapes and colours.

      The long road that led us to this particular summit was made up of 8,009 slides from 1,801 participants in 34 countries. It is expressed, symbolised, by the fifty cibachromes that form the exhibition "TEN YEARS OF MOUNTAINS IN IMAGES".

      With its introduction on the 11th February 2000 at the Cajastur Auditorium in Oviedo, the first exhibition of the MML set off. After the solemn ceremony, the numerous public already highlighted the popularity the collection would have in the immediate future.

      The selection of the images, their transformation into cibachromes, the design, framing, labelling, reinforcement for transport, the lists of exhibitors, the layout of the exhibition hall, the placement of the photographs, the lighting, the editing of the catalogue, surveillance, etc. were essential tasks prior to departure; but the first step had definitely been taken after fifteen days of being on display, with great impact on all the media, press, radio and television, an estimated 3,000 visitors and extremely positive reviews.

      After this first step, the second, third and many more followed quickly. Year 2000 brought no rest. By the time the collection came back to the Memorial's headquarters, a new edition had already been held there. It was not difficult to decide to enlarge it, but, taking into account the quality of the pictures, the enlargement necessarily had to be very numerous, with fifteen new works corresponding to the latest edition being added.

      Under the format "ELEVEN YEARS..." and sixty-five cibachromes, the exhibition had to be premiered once again. On this occasion, it was moved from the capital of the Principality of Asturias to the capital of Spain. In Madrid, at the Desnivel Gallery, it was open to public during the months of December and January.

      Today, the exhibition maintains the distinctly itinerant character it was born with, and its transformations have become a yearly ritual. The latest, recent enlargement leaves the collection with a total of 175 works, in addition to the great-format murals summarising it. It will open to public next autumn.

      As long as mountaineering groups, all kinds of associations, cultural centres, universities, culture houses, etc. are interested in and request the Memorial's exhibition, it will continue to grow and to travel. It will continue to take steps, but without losing the spirit of the first: the spirit of offering the general public the great many values present in the mountains and the environment.

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