"We are three people who have no more merit than having launched an idea by Alfredo Matallana," with the purpose of "giving Caesar what belongs to Caesar" through a tribute that comes from society itself. This is how journalist Herminia Fajardo presented the initiative that has united her with Matallana himself and the director of the Insular Hospital, Domingo de Guzmán, to promote the creation of a sculpture dedicated to César Manrique on the occasion of the first centenary of the artist's birth, which is commemorated next year.
Precisely the city where he was born, Arrecife, is the place they propose to place that sculpture. "César was from Arrecife and El Charco," Matallana pointed out, noting that they are already considering some locations and that the priority would be to install it in El Charco de San Ginés, because "there are places" to do so.
Regarding financing, they specified at the event that they hope to have financial support from the institutions, although this project is presented as a popular initiative. In fact, they intend for the people of Lanzarote themselves to get involved, "even if it's with a euro or with whatever they can," to make that sculpture a reality. "We believe we have not been wrong in interpreting the will of the majority of citizens to pay tribute to César Manrique," said Alfredo Matallana.
They want to promote a "closer" memory
"César's work is all over the island. He is already present with his work, but a sculpture is something more domestic, more within reach of the people," said Domingo de Guzmán, explaining that what they intend is a "closer" memory of the artist, to add to the rest of the initiatives that are carried out on the occasion of the centenary of his birth and "contribute that grain of sand."
For the moment, they have formally constituted a Promoting Committee for this initiative, although for now they do not know the deadlines and the budget that will be necessary to materialize it. And they have not revealed who would be commissioned to do this work, although they have pointed out that it will be "a Canarian artist." However, they affirm that they will now contact "different sculptors," of whom they have not wanted to advance names so as "not to create expectations that may not be fulfilled." The only thing they have made clear is that they do not plan to call a contest, because it is a formula that "is very good and democratic, but sometimes it turns a bit against in terms of quality."
Regarding how the possible donations from citizens will be managed, they have not specified it for the moment either. "The first step will be to open a current account," they have pointed out, noting that their intention is to "tour the towns" and also use social networks to disseminate this initiative, which still has pending to establish "the mechanisms" to manage those contributions.
Support from "many people committed to the figure of César"
In addition, they have announced that they will soon convene an assembly at the Club Torrelavega, where the presentation of this initiative has also taken place, "so that everyone who wants to can join" and to define the aspects that are still pending. For now, that is, they affirm that they already have "many supports", from "many people very committed to the figure of César", some of whom were among the public and posed at the end of the act with the promoters of the initiative.
Within those supports, they have made special mention of the Torrelavega Society itself, which was closely linked to Manrique - in fact, the artist was part of the first Board of Directors - and its current vice president, Toñín Ramos, who also worked with César, and who has taken the floor to explain why he has offered his support to this project.
In addition, they have referred to the need to have the support of the institutions. In this regard, Hermina Fajardo has addressed two councilors of the Cabildo who had attended this press conference asking them to "understand" that the first step will be to speak with the mayor of the Arrecife City Council, who is the one who "has the powers to decide the place," given that they intend for that sculpture to be installed in the capital and, if possible, near the house where César was born. However, Alfredo Matallana has also pointed out that the Cabildo "is key in this project" to make it a reality.
"We spoke with the Foundation because it is part of César's family"
The councilors who have attended this event, convened to present the initiative to the media, have been the head of the Tourist Centers, Echedey Eugenio, and the head of Culture, Óscar Pérez, and together with them, two other representatives of CC have also attended: the mayor of Haría Marci Acuña and the councilor of Arrecife Samuel Martín. The first three have taken the floor to praise the "praiseworthy initiative" and to offer financing from both the Haría City Council and the CACT. "I think it is our obligation. We receive many resources thanks to César's work," said Eugenio.
With whom the promoters have clarified that they had already spoken before the press conference is with the family of César Manrique. "And as part of the family we spoke with the Foundation, which we consider to be César's son," explained Matallana, who pointed out that it was an obligatory gesture "of courtesy," because it would not have been "correct" for them to find out through the press.
In addition, he has launched a message on the occasion of the centenary of Manrique, asking "not to duplicate events for eagerness for protagonism." And he has also shown his hope that this initiative will serve for "a reconciliation of all the public institutions of Lanzarote." "It would be a greater achievement than the monument itself," he defended.
