CULTURE FOR ORIHUELA COSTA

Listen to this article

Recently the city of Orihuela published its cultural programme for the forthcoming months. It was stated that many of the events would be subsidised to allow greater access and participation.

However there was not a corresponding publication of a cultural programme for the coast. This is hardly surprising as the coast has no Casa de Cultura or any other venue to stage cultural events. This seems very unusual as the provision of a Casa de Cultura seems to be such a fundamental part of Spanish life.

San Miguel, population 8,000 has both a Casa de Cultura and a Music Society, both supported by the town hall. Recently the area around the auditorium has been amplified so that outdoor events can be staged in an area with good acoustics and ample space for spectators. Montesinos with 5,000 inhabitants has a modern Casa de Cultura which also incorporates a large and active Musical Society.

Orihuela Costa has many dance, music and theatre groups that would love to have a Casa de Cultura in the locality both for rehearsals and performances. These groups look with envy at smaller towns that have such excellent facilities and the support they receive from their local town halls.

However due to the lack of any such facility coastal residents depend on the good will of neighbouring municipalities in order to stage their events. These shows and concerts raise considerable money for charitable causes which subsidies services to the benefit of many inhabitants.

Orihuela’s recently published cultural programme has 49 shows and exhibitions between April and early July.

The Teatro Circo will stage 18 plays, eight concerts and five dance displays. Ana Mas was pleased to announce that 11 events would receive 30% discount in view of the current economic difficulties. However, there was no corresponding publication of a cultural programme for the coast even on the official Orihuela web site.

Is it fair that the coast should be ignored in relation to cultural events, especially when one considers the amount of money paid by coastal residents in local taxes?

The largest industry in Spain is tourism and the revenue generated by coastal tourism adds considerably to the coffers of Orihuela. Why then is so little money is then spent on culture for Costa residents and tourists.

Worst still coastal residents can’t even take a bus to Orihuela to enjoy the cultural events in the city as there isn’t a bus service linking the coast with the city. Occasionally for large cultural events like Moors and Christians or the Easter Processions a few special buses are laid on to enable coastal residents to enjoy these extravaganzas!

However for the subsidised events no such transport will be provided!

Where is the fairness for all residents of the municipality?

The coast is being discriminated against in every area and until it has appropriate political representation this situation will continue.

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/39231/

Car and Motor Insurance | Spanish Home Insurance | International Money Transfers | Send Money to Spain | Spain Property | Online International Payments | Property in Spain
Costa Blanca Property for Sale | Cabo Roig Property for Sale | International Payments |