The Local Committee of Nueva Canarias-Bloque Canarista (NC-BC) of Arrecife has wanted to express its discontent with the programming of the Christmas events that will be held in Arrecife and that have been announced by the conservative government group of the PP and CC.
The Canarian nationalists consider that the cultural planning is not governed by the guiding principles that should guide public policies in this matter, and that the Law of the Public Culture System of the Canary Islands mandates. Thus, they point out an "evident discrimination" against the residents of the neighborhoods of Arrecife in favor of the central area and La Marina, where the most important events are concentrated.
For Sheila Guillén, spokesperson for the Local Committee of NC-BC, "access to cultural goods and services must have a comprehensive vision of the municipality, avoiding discrimination and territorial inequality between the center and the periphery of the city, as stated in the current culture law of the Canary Islands, the Statute of Autonomy, the Spanish Constitution and the countless international resolutions on this matter." The spokesperson continues, alluding that "in the current Christmas cultural program of the capital, the activities are concentrated between the center and La Marina and the revitalization and the right of the residents of the neighborhoods to consume and enjoy them are not taken into account."
"For the neighborhoods, they allocate small children's activities while concentrating the performing arts, music and exhibitions in the center. It costs nothing to distribute these events throughout all the urban centers, guaranteeing access to residents who otherwise find it difficult to attend or are not incentivized to travel," says Guillén.
From NC-BC they believe that a comprehensive planning of the programming of the activities is necessary with the aim of recognizing and guaranteeing the cultural rights and access to the cultural life of the residents of Arrecife, in addition to generating economic and social revitalization in the neighborhoods, and facilitating family reconciliation since the majority of parents continue working during the Christmas season and the children are with their grandparents or, in some cases, alone.
"We are not simply talking about providing activities to the residents, we are talking about guaranteeing their right to culture and participation in public events. If in your neighborhood you listen to music, there is atmosphere, lights and cultural and social activity, the incentives to participate increase. In addition, you enjoy in your own environment, you create community with your neighbors and you stop taking the car to travel," says Sheila Guillén, who considers that this type of planning "creates open, fair and participatory societies."
NC-BC is committed to redistributive cultural policies that take into account social and economic inequalities in access to the right to participate in the activities offered by public authorities.
"Currently, Arrecife does not guarantee the redistribution of the cultural offer. This increases social inequality since you focus on sectors of the population that already have greater facilities for their consumption and participation. We are talking about the right to culture as social justice," says Sheila Guillén.
