The passing of Juan Antonio Sala Pascual, a well known defender of Alicante’s heritage, is reported this morning. He was 68. A longtime activist, he led the campaign against the site selection for a congress palace on Benacantil and in recent years advocated for ideal cinema as a cultural hub as the representative of the Salvem l Ideal platform. A recent development noted that the Generalitat prohibited the purchase of the building due to the high asking price, signaling a shift toward hotel use instead.
Juan Antonio Sala Pascual: I will not celebrate until the Ideal is sold to the city, signed and sealed
The remains of a heritage defender lie in San Vicente near the University of Alicante starting at 6:00 pm this afternoon. A friend and fellow sculptor, Adrian Carillo, described Sala as a reference in preserving Alicante’s heritage in many forms. He participated in the effort against building a congress palace on Benacantil and was recently involved in matters related to the transfer and protection of cultural landmarks, including the Ideal cinema and the Luceros monument. A colleague recalled losing a partner who actively shaped the city’s cultural landscape.
Debate Society honors activist Juan Antonio Sala Pascual
An interview with Sala, published last December, featured Salvem l Ideal as the platform he represented. The activist spent decades advancing Alicante
cultural interests, from resisting the Benacantil congress palace plan to supporting the Ideal cinema project. Sala Pascual was recently recognized with the VI Reward in the land of the prophet award from the Controversia association for a career as a sociocultural activist.
Generalitat declines to purchase the Ideal cinema and leaves room for a possible hotel use
Juan Antonio Sala Pascual stated clearly that the victory would not be celebrated until the sale of Ideal to the city is finalized and notarized. The question of why Salvem l Ideal emerged is addressed in this context. The initiative grew out of local concerns for Alicante
During leadership transitions, from Lassaletta to successors, the Salvem el Benacantil effort positioned historians, students and civic figures together. The movement included campaigns, graffiti, brochures and demonstrations. It aimed to protect the city’s cultural identity by preventing a congress palace on Benacantil, as observed during several administrations. When the Supreme Court halted a plan and the Ideal cinema closed, the platform evolved into a broader effort to integrate the film and theater heritage into the city’s cultural fabric. The family owning the property had sought financial privileges the City Council could not grant, prompting shifts in focus as different administrations came and went.
Alicante needs a cultural center for youth, yet lasting solutions are hard to find
How could such a center be managed?
There is a proposal to involve four groups including the Generalitat, the City Council, the municipal government and a private foundation to create a cultural initiative that functions like a community casino. The idea is to offer a modest membership of one euro per month, with major non governmental organizations contributing a similar amount to broaden civic participation. The aim is to fund cultural activities with a steady monthly income, supporting a vibrant range of cultural, leisure and artistic uses while ensuring sustainability. The City Hall, however, has shown reluctance to allocate funds to Ideal in the annual budget, creating ongoing funding gaps.
Salvem l Ideal demands that the Consell fulfill its pledge to acquire the old cinema building
Alicante’s artists joined the cause, with more than 30 local creators backing the idea that Ideal could anchor a home for culture. The vision describes a provincial hub for amateur and community events, a space where young people can attend cultural programs. It calls for an education center focused on cultural literacy, recognizing that many days call for quick outings or casual gatherings rather than long, structured activities. As the pandemic era fades, there is a clear need for accessible cultural opportunities for young residents.
End of life for a friend, yet a call to continue building culture remains the core message. Rest in peace would be inappropriate without a plan to keep cultural life alive in the city.