Josep Ferrís March: memories of a life building community and region

14 January 2026 – To speak about Josep Ferrís March is to speak about a way of understanding life rooted in commitment, collective work, and community building. This approach also defined the event held on Tuesday, 23 December, at the Parish Hall of the Assumption in Torrent, centred on the book Person in Community. Memories and Experiences (1945–2014), written by Josep Ferrís March himself.

The book gathers, with documentary rigour and from the author’s own perspective, his years of involvement in social, cultural and institutional projects, demonstrating that strengthening the region and the active participation of people are key elements for a cohesive and resilient society.

The event, which brought together nearly one hundred people, began with an address by Imma López, president of the Fundació Horta Sud, who highlighted the importance of Josep Ferrís March both for the Foundation — as he served as its president — and for the region as a whole.

The current president also recalled Ferrís’s intense involvement in organisations such as the Círculo Católico de Torrent, IDECO, the Fundació Horta Sud, the Regional Museum, the Arzobispo Miguel Roca Foundation, Proyecto Hombre, and other social and cultural organisations, as well as his role in financial institutions such as the Torrent Savings Bank.

López also emphasised that the book Person in Community. Memories and Experiences (1945–2014) is part of the Foundation’s Testimonies collection, conceived to share meaningful experiences from the region and to foster a sense of regional identity, contributing to the construction of a more cohesive and supportive community.

Preserving these testimonies, as López noted, is essential to inspire new generations and to demonstrate that defending community values and encouraging active participation are key elements in building a more cohesive, resilient society with a strong sense of identity.

Next, Vicent Palacios, a committed advocate of the Valencian language, culture and social organisations, spoke to highlight Ferrís’s exemplary trajectory of social engagement and the rigorous way in which he has captured his experiences throughout the memoirs. Palacios pointed out that the book goes beyond a traditional autobiography: “Ferrís shows how his actions, always oriented towards collective work and altruism, have contributed to strengthening the region, defending its identity and consolidating cooperation among local associations and organisations”.

He also emphasised Ferrís’s ability to anticipate social and cultural challenges, placing the community ahead of individualism and transforming his personal experience into collective learning.

The event also featured contributions from the former president of the Fundació Horta Sud, Vicent Comes, and Professor Antonio Ariño, who both agreed in valuing the book as a necessary testimony at a time when society needs references of commitment, forward-looking vision and community action.

The author himself also spoke, explaining that his aim was not to write a book, but to leave behind a repository containing all the documentation he had accumulated throughout his life, accessible to anyone with an interest. It was his friends who encouraged him to transform this archive into a book that weaves together his life journey with the collected documentation, highlighting how his life has been inseparable from his commitment to the community.

The work

Across more than 300 pages, Ferrís reviews his involvement in key organisations within the associative and institutional fabric, offering a journey that reflects a life dedicated to strengthening collective structures and creating opportunities for the common good.

Ferrís’s book brings together all this commitment and becomes a living testimony to a life devoted to the region and to the people who make it possible. Through its pages, readers can understand not only the events and institutions that shaped the recent history of l’Horta Sud, but also the philosophy that has guided the Fundació Horta Sud: regions and their organisations work better when they connect, share resources and act together. This legacy not only documents an individual trajectory, but also inspires present and future civil society to commit to local development and to keep the identity and solidarity of the territory alive.

The author

Josep Ferrís March has been a key figure in the consolidation of the Fundació Horta Sud, and his legacy is permanently reflected in the Regional Museum that bears his name. His professional and civic trajectory shows a firm commitment to strengthening the region and building a cohesive community, where collaboration among organisations and civic engagement are fundamental pillars.

Ferrís’s regionalist vision, already present from the earliest decades of his career, is reflected in his defence of l’Horta Sud as a territory with its own identity, which should not be relegated to being merely an urban periphery of Valencia. This perspective shaped many of his decisions and actions: promoting social and cultural initiatives, building collective awareness, and creating institutional infrastructures that reinforced pride and cohesion within the local community.

Ferrís did not limit himself to acting at specific moments, but contributed to establishing a lasting legacy that continues — and will undoubtedly continue — to influence the region today.

How to obtain the book

To obtain the book, it is necessary to become a member of the Foundation. By joining the organisation, you will not only gain access to this exclusive publication, but you will also actively contribute to supporting the community of l’Horta Sud.

For more information or to formalise your membership, you can contact us by calling 961 55 32 27, sending an email to hola@fundaciohortasud.org, or by visiting our website and filling in the form.