Natxo Vidal Guardiola talks about poetry, politics, and community in Monóvar
Earlier this week, a local councilor from Monóvar shared a reflective post on social media. The response came swiftly from Natxo Vidal Guardiola, a former mayor who serves as the general secretary of the PSOE local group. The back‑and‑forth carried a mix of direct critique and light irony, drawing attention from residents across the town.
Natxo Vidal presented his latest poetry book at The Director, adding a cultural dimension to the week’s conversations. The event drew interest from readers who follow the town’s cultural life as well as those who often engage with local politics.
In a remark tied to local leadership, Roberto Amorós, the mayor, was quoted describing how cultural disparities can sometimes fuel political rifts. He suggested that lower cultural literacy can become a rallying point for both ends of the spectrum, and that this disparity does not necessarily map neatly onto any single political ideology.
Vidal responded by challenging the framing of that message. He argued that the left should not be reduced to a single narrative about education or wealth distribution. The discussion touched on broader questions about taxation, social equity, and the relationships between work, wages, and opportunity. The conversation reflected how the city’s political actors view the balance between public services and private sector outcomes, and how cultural identity intersects with social policy.
Vidal went on to expand the critique, explaining how the traditional view of social classes often centers on working people, the unemployed, and those facing housing challenges. He emphasized the distinction between earnings derived from personal labor and other means of production or wealth generated in different ways. The point was to illustrate the complexities behind class labels and the ways they shape political discourse.
The conversation then turned to the mayor’s decision about his political candidacy. Vidal noted that he had given voice to many individuals in the community, including family, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances encountered in everyday life. The underlying message remained that education and social standing are not fixed determinants of political alignment, and that regional debates about left and right continue to evolve with new voices and new experiences.
The discussion closed with a hopeful note for the weekend, reflecting a common pattern in Monóvar where cultural events and political dialogue intersect in the public square. The atmosphere was one of caution and curiosity, inviting residents to consider multiple perspectives as they reflect on the town’s future.
Natxo Vidal Guardiola is known beyond these exchanges for his creative work and academic background. He taught trombone at the Murcia Conservatory of Music and has published six poetry collections, with two receiving recognition. In 2018 he released a storybook titled Stravinsky in Birdland, contributing to a range of magazines, forums, and zines. His career thus spans both the arts and education, equipping him with a broad view of how culture and policy influence one another.