The Cultural Institute of Alicante Juan Gil-Albert hosted a conference this week that brought renewed attention to Tabarca and its evolving story. The program thoughtfully surveys a decade of changes on the island, looking at what has occurred, what is happening presently, and what might unfold in the future. A centerpiece of the agenda is a session titled Tabarca, utopia and reality, which will be explored in depth during a Friday gathering. A round table will bring together experts to reflect on the last ten years, assess the current state, and consider future prospects for Tabarca and its community.
In honor of this milestone, Casa Bardín is presenting an exhibition of vintage photographs that capture Tabarca’s distinctive character as a living, evolving neighborhood. The show, New Tabarca, 250 years, offers a visual journey through the island’s traditional scenes, notable figures, and iconic buildings. The collection, assembled with support from the Alicante City Council Culture Department, invites visitors to rediscover the island through archival imagery until the end of September.
The round table, centered on the theme Tabarca, utopia and reality, will be moderated by Jose Manuel Perez Burgos. He will be joined by several co-authors of the authoritative publication that documents Tabarca with rigor, widely regarded as a foundational study of the only inhabited island in the Community of Valencia. The discussion will take place at Casa Bardín, with the session scheduled for the evening. Participants include professors from the University of Alicante who will accompany Perez Burgos, together with Gregorio Canales, head of the Holistic Heritage Department of the Cultural Service and head of the Tabarca Unit within the Alicante City Council Environmental Service. Also taking part are Alfonso Ramos, president of the Tabarca Cultural Association, Armando Parody, a researcher, and Felio Lozano, a marine biologist who coordinates the oversight body of the Tabarca Marine Reserve.
This occasion is supported by the Vice President and Vice President for Culture, who describe Tabarca as the focal point of the Gil-Albert activity program during these days, celebrating the publication that marks a turning point in the study of Alicante’s island. The magazine Canelobre is recognized for its role in advancing scholarly discussion about Tabarca and its environment.
These events also lay groundwork for the inaugural Petricor performing arts residences to be held on the island. The residency period spans the first half of October, with applications having closed earlier in August. Final selections are anticipated soon, and the project promises to bring fresh artistic voices to Tabarca, enriching its cultural landscape for residents and visitors alike, while linking historical study with contemporary creative practice.