The MARQ museum cluster in Alicante presented its Atlantic Warrior exhibit on May 18, aligning with International Museum Day. This new sample, which traces the evolution of a northwestern Iberian Peninsula culture from the late Bronze Age into the early Roman era, joins other MARQ initiatives in celebrating this global occasion.
The Alicante Provincial Council marks its tenth year of participation in DIM events, offering a broad program from Wednesday through the MARQ, Mubag, and the Juan Gil-Albert Cultural Institute. The collaboration also includes the City Council of Alicante, the University, Aguas de Alicante, and The Ocean Race cultural centers. The campaign centers on the theme This year, The power of museums.
In parallel with the Gladiators exhibition, the venue organized accessible resources under Heroes of the Coliseum, including easy reading formats, 3D reproductions, sign language, and braille reading to welcome all audiences.
On Wednesday the 18th, a guided visit to the Medieval Hall will be offered, along with a workshop called Work like a medieval potter. It will feature participation from the Education and Employment group of the Alicante Down Syndrome Association and include a workshop around the Gladiator shield tailored for younger visitors at the Balmis University Hospital Pedagogical Unit. In the afternoon, a session about the Atlantic Warrior exhibition will be available for children aged six to twelve.
Alicante returns to the streets for International Museum Day with continued programming over the weekend. Animated visits, storytelling, and workshops will welcome all audiences, with some activities specially prepared for ASPANION and APSA users. The workshops emphasize the processes behind organizing combat performances, the varieties of gladiator gear, fighting rules, and amphitheater layouts.
The MARQ gardens will host a Saturday night event where the Roman Hispania Association reenacts a gladiator fight. The Munera Gladiator show will begin at 20:00 and illustrate the development of conflicts and the rules of war. On Sunday, between 12:30 and 13:30, the association will present the Head Nurse’s Bedroom, showcasing the beauty tools and grooming items of a Roman matron. Both activities offer free access.
The Vice President for Culture stressed the opening of a new MARQ exhibition and described events for all ages, including garden gladiator displays and free guided tours at Gil-Albert and MUBAG. The official highlighted that the diverse program invites citizens to visit museums, which stand as major cultural anchors and attractions.
Gladiator shows travel to Torre Manises in the MARQ itinerary, and Mubag kicks off the International Day of Museums with a newly opened permanent XIX century collection. Nearly eighty works are presented across three guided sessions on May 18, including an English-language tour. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by calling 965 146 780. The museum website also offers audiovisual blocks from the permanent exhibition, and from May 18 to 22 the exhibition will be accessible virtually, inviting online visitors to explore the pieces and share images to create an artistic album.
The Gil-Albert Institute joins the 2022 International Day of Museums celebrations with a series of events around the world. A guided tour of the Schwindel exhibit by Filiberto Siscar will take place on Wednesday, May 18 at 19:30, with a post-tour discussion where the artist and curator will explain the artistic processes. Schwindel was chosen in the fourth general call Art at Casa Bardín. All museums will present magnets featuring the This year The power of museums motto and a representative image. Mubag will display Francisco Laporta’s Rosa Mística, Gil-Albert will feature a Casa Bardín facade detail, and MARQ will highlight a piece from the Gladiadores exhibition—attributions that underscore the shared message of cultural vitality across institutions. [Citation: MARQ Collection]