Mar 13 • 04:30 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

Albert Velasco: "Sixena is not just paintings; it is an identity conflict"

Catalan art historian Albert Velasco discusses the significant cultural and identity implications surrounding the Sixena mural paintings and his critical take on the ongoing legal battle in a newly published book.

The legal battle over the mural paintings of Sixena has taken a turn in recent months, showcasing a stark contrast between the widespread attention it receives in Aragón and the relative silence it faces in Catalonia. In this quiet corner of Catalonia, art historian Albert Velasco emerges as a vocal critic, particularly against the perceived inaction of the Catalan government. Velasco, who previously served as a patron for the Diocesan and County Museum of Lleida, resigned from his position to highlight what he claims to be a calculated silence from officials regarding this significant cultural issue.

Now, Velasco has published a comprehensive account of the Sixena paintings in his new book titled "Les pintures de Sixena". This work delves deep into the complexities and implications of the legal disputes, which are not merely administrative matters but rather touch upon broader themes of cultural identity and heritage. Velasco does not shy away from critiquing key figures involved in the controversy, suggesting that the circumstances around the paintings reveal much about Catalonia's societal and political landscape.

Ultimately, Velasco's narrative about the Sixena murals encapsulates a crucial identity conflict within Catalonia, where art and heritage are deeply intertwined with politics and local pride. His critical stance and the revelations in his book could provoke further discussion and perhaps action regarding the preservation and rightful ownership of these culturally significant artworks, urging a reevaluation of governmental responses to such disputes in the region.

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