The anniversary of César Manrique's birth, which is commemorated this year, should be a good time to remember and relaunch the figure of our distinguished artist with the common desire to keep his spirit, his struggle and his work alive.
From the Popular Party, we support the institutional declaration and the appointment of César Manrique as a Favorite Son of the City of Arrecife because we understand that it is totally reasonable and fair, and because, unlike what some other political formations are doing, we are not going to politicize the anniversary of César's birth or create controversies for mere electoral interest.
And we support it because the Popular Party does not play with the appointments of favorite sons either in the Arrecife City Council or in any other, unlike what some do. And as the most important thing is the memory of the artist, the Popular Party has lived up to what the solemn act of declaration of Favorite Son of Arrecife represents.
I reaffirm what I already said in parliament when in May of last year we asked the Government of the Canary Islands to join and support the celebration of the centenary that the Cabildo of Lanzarote was launching at that time. Proposal that, remember, was approved unanimously by all political forces. And I reaffirm by saying that, Lanzarote and César, César and Lanzarote, ... the island and Manrique... cannot be understood one without the other and the other without one.
The greatest legacy that the artist left us to the people of Lanzarote, and also to the rest of the Canaries in the islands that have the luck and honor of enjoying his indelible mark, is his genius. Genius that also crossed our borders and had and has its prominent place in the international arena.
Practically everything has already been written and said about César's figure, and we really cannot contribute anything new except to reiterate our will and our commitment to those principles that guided his steps, which was the commitment and the constant struggle for the balance between tourism and the defense of the environment, of nature, of our values.
Thanks to his vindictive character and the seed planted in the hearts of the people of Lanzarote in defense of the preservation of the territory, the island did not succumb to the urban whirlwind unleashed in the seventies in the rest of the islands, proposing a line of sustainable development that has been maintained over the years and of which today Lanzarote and the people of Lanzarote can continue to boast, despite everything.
The truth is that almost six decades later, with many mistakes but also with many successes, nature is still our main wealth and its tourism model our main source of income.
The centenary of César and recognitions such as the one that the people of Arrecife have paid him, should also serve for us to reflect on the steps to follow.
Some reflections on Manrique's vision, not only around art, which also, but on education and culture. César said: "a people without education is condemned to ruin"; in urban matters: ..."you have to plan intelligently, not elaborate plans"; ..."it is about living facing the future, contributing to a clean, intelligent alternative, of quality of life, we must not give up, we must continue forward, be vigilant and keep the critical conscience alive, because the future is never achieved, we have to do it from the present; it is about making the tourist industry coexist with the defense of the territory and of the own culture" or ..."we do not have to copy anyone, let them come to copy us".
Manrique was able to think and trace a new Lanzarote where tourism and nature went hand in hand, and we as public officials, have the responsibility to advance along that path.
Cesar's legacy should be seen as a starting point to build the island we all dream of. We must not forget his teachings but always looking to the future and adapting them to the circumstances of the 21st century.
From Arrecife, the best tribute that can be paid to Manrique is to ensure the conservation of his works and the recovery of those spaces that were the object of his artistic talent.
What would César think of the capital, of this Arrecife that in 2019 we have before our eyes? ... None of us can know for sure the words he would use but I don't think I'm wrong if I say that the city of the Manrique imaginary would resemble our current Arrecife, and allow me the expression, like chalk and cheese.
From the Popular Party we believe that this appointment should be seconded with the maintenance of his works in the city and that at present they are in God's hands, such as the Plaza De la Iglesia, the small park next to the Music Kiosk or the Elvira hill in the Charco de San Ginés.
The Barlovento sculpture, the House of Culture, the Ramírez Cerdá Park, the Insular Hospital, the sculpture square of Doctor José Molina Orosa or the mural of the Nautical Club are planned as mandatory visits on the "Manrique route", together with the pictorial work of Manrique that the City Council has or the Warehouse and the Saramago Room, which is part of the César Manrique Foundation.
A route that from the next municipal government we are going to turn into the flagship of the tourist, architectural and cultural attraction of the city of Arrecife.
Let's give back to this city what César Manrique wanted to bequeath us. A city with artistic values, a modern city, a city that respects and breathes the smell of the sea and saltpeter.
By Ástrid Pérez, candidate for Mayor of Arrecife and insular president of the PP