Andrés Rubio visited Alicante ahead of presenting his new book, Ugly Spain. The scene included a newly unveiled monument on Paseo del Puerto, dedicated to the patron saint of 80 Mundos bookstore and the Local Police. Hosts Jorge Olcina and José Ramón Navarro Vera, who oversees the UA Headquarters Town Hall and was stepping outside the building to mark the event, described the moment as a reflection on the city. They explained that the sculpture—an angel guarding a girl—symbolizes Alicante’s festive spirit while inviting viewers to consider how celebrations are publicly safeguarded and celebrated.
The journalist and academic described Alicante as a city of missed options, a place shaped by what could have happened and what did not. He painted a picture of a city that is celebrated as a residence-friendly locale, yet where flaws can loom large, and where each reform or renovation invites close scrutiny. He urged readers to weigh every advertisement and every decision with care, suggesting that appearances can betray deeper urban challenges.
During his appearance on the program Página 2 on May 30, Rubio highlighted the In Tempo building in Benidorm as emblematic of unsettling trends in the country’s urban development. He pointed to concerns about speculation, corruption, and ignorance as factors contributing to what he views as a troubling pattern in how spaces are planned and managed. The remarks placed the topic squarely in the context of national urban policy and the housing landscape, inviting a broader discussion about accountability in city-building across Spain and beyond.
The commentary around the newly revealed monument clarifies that the critique is not aimed at personal beliefs or the security personnel who approved the installation. Instead, the focus remains on the broader idea of what constitutes a public space. Public space is meant to belong to everyone and to be treated with collective respect. The conversation touches on other public icons—such as the Ripollés monument, the Tourist Office, and the Reserve Soldier monument—reminding readers that many memorials and public sites carry weight beyond their physical presence. Yet the core message remains: society should not punish serious questions about how these places come to be and how they are used, but rather encourage ongoing dialogue about their meaning and impact in daily life. It is a call to observe how urban spaces reflect values, governance, and community priorities in both Spain and comparable markets in North America and beyond.