The First Vice President and Minister of Culture and Sports, Vicente Barrera, appeared before the Cortes of Valencia on Tuesday to outline the strategic plans for the region in this legislative period. Among his proposals, the Consell’s second-in-command presented key initiatives for the cities of Elche and Alicante. A notable demand is the return of the Lady of Elche to the lands of Elche, which stands as one of the region’s most enduring requests. There is also a push to rename the Alicante train station to honor the sculptor and painter Eusebio Sempere, a move reflecting local cultural pride.
Barrera underscored the importance of protecting religious, musical, and bullfighting expressions rooted in tradition, calling for targeted support to ensure these practices are preserved for future generations. He referenced the transfer of the Lady of Elche from the National Archaeological Museum to Elche, and stated that the regional government would fund rehabilitations such as the Almoravid wall and the Basilica of Santa María de Elche. The vice president also stressed the revival of the Sempere anniversary events, noting that no operational committee existed and funding for activities had not yet been allocated. He added that honoring the generosity of the artist Onil to Alicante would be a priority, including the station naming proposal.
In his remarks, Barrera criticized the Botànic coalition for not delivering the expected support after the year dedicated to the Alicante artist. During the January general assembly held by the previous Consell, a significant milestone was marked for the artist on the occasion of a centennial anniversary, including an award of 100,000 euros for his contributions to art and culture. The plan at the time included a program of actions and activities. Now, the regional head of culture has outlined the framework to reintroduce this commemoration in the new term.
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Regarding the Consell’s efforts to secure the Lady’s return to Elche, Barrera framed this as a central aim aligned with the wishes of Elche’s residents. The Elche City Council supported by PP and Vox has mobilized civil society to press the Ministry on the transfer. The Elche general assembly recently approved the creation of a Board of Trustees to advance the loan after Culture Minister Miquel Iceta rejected the request. The mayor, Pablo Ruz, emphasized that while the Lady is not the sole factor in cultural policy, it remains a pivotal symbol for the city.
During his speech at the Alicante Forum on the 12th, Carlos Mazón, president of the Generalitat, offered Elche region support from the Consell to realize the long-awaited return of the Lady. Mazón highlighted this as one of the strategic goals for the coming years, with Elche playing a key role in achieving it. His remarks echoed a broader pattern of support shown by Mazón during both the campaign and the ongoing term.
Support for Elche has been a constant theme for Mazón throughout both the electoral period and Barrera’s presentation of the department’s strategic lines. Since Barrera’s first months as president of the Generalitat, the priorities include launching the tram project and completing the Valencian Community Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as accelerating the Ronda Sur project.
Another commitment from Barrera upon joining the Cortes was to secure funding for a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the Almoravid wall and the Basilica of Santa María de Elche. Recently, the Elche City Council signed an agreement to contribute 90,000 euros for the first phase of temple rehabilitation, which hosts Misteri performances annually. The entire renovation is estimated at around 4 million euros, with a substantial portion potentially covered by the Generalitat’s funds.
The overarching aim is to strengthen regional culture through restored heritage sites, enhanced cultural venues, and sustained financial support for arts initiatives that reflect the region’s identity and history, while also addressing the practical needs of conservation and access for residents and visitors alike.