Here’s the winning project of the URBAN Book Award 2023

“It’s not easy to work in Rio de Janeiro, which can be very violent at times and as a photographer you can be vulnerable at those moments. That makes the work of Rafael special, his intimate and poetic images shows he is capable of winning the trust of people. It’s a beautiful mix of daily life and the hardcore economic and political realities (the work was shot during the Bolsanaro presidency) in Brazil. He has developed a strong signature and therefore deserves the award.” 

With these words, URBAN 2023 Commission member and world renowned photojournalist Kadir van Lohuizen (NOOR images) describes the winning project of the URBAN Book Award 2023, the section of the international photo contest dedicated to authorial projects destined to become photographic books.

CAFUNÉ, by Spanish photographer Rafael Fabrés has won the award over 120 other competing projects. The photo book will be published by Exhibit Around APS and officially presented at Trieste Photo Days, the international festival dedicated to urban photography (27-29 October 2023 – Trieste, Italy). The project will be displayed during the festival together with URBAN Photo Awards winners in a collective photographic exhibition at Xenia Hall, in the heart of the city.

About the project

When my hand asks your hair to dance. Tangled with love. Knot of affection. It is when my fingers kiss your nape. The act of caressing someone dear. When done properly, it makes you sleep. Natural sedative. When my fingers become fish in the sea of your curls. (Cafuné, by Joao Doederlein)

Here are the words of the author on his photo book:

“In Brazilian portuguese the word cafuné is a gesture of affection towards a loved one. This project is a gesture of affection towards Rio de Janeiro in all its extremes. Focusing tangentially on the “pacification” of the favelas of Rio, the project is a document of the marvelous city during the World cup, the Olympic games, the Pope’s visit and the massive protests in 2013. While the work documents a fundamental period in Brazilian history, the project is both personal and intimate. A photographer’s diary of the joy and sorrow of a city as intense and unequal as Rio de Janeiro. A personal reconciliation and a bittersweet farewell to a place and a time of extremes.”

Rafael Fabres- CAFUNÉ

About the author

Rafael Fabrés is a photographer and filmmaker specializing in documentary storytelling. His work explores the connections between identity, displacement and belonging in his projects. After having lived in Central and Latin America for more than a decade working as a photojournalist, he felt compelled to dig deeper into his past experience and expand his visual approach beyond his previous perspective. Rafael is currently working on his two next long term projects between the City of Mexico and Madrid.

WEB: rafaelfabres.com / IG: @rafaelfabres

URBAN Book Award 2023 Prize list

– 500 € Amazon Gift Card
– Production and publication of the book
– Invitation as guest of honor to Trieste Photo Days 2023, including a two-nights stay for two, in order to attend the award ceremony
– Invitation to URBAN 2023 Gala dinner at Trieste Photo Days
– Personal exhibition at Trieste Photo Days 2023
– Befree GT Carbon fibre Tripod twist lock, ball head Manfrotto
– 1 Stroppa photo camera strap
– Trophy