The current state of the statue
The statue of Fortuny in Barcelona remains in a sorry state, with its nose amputated and its left foot severed. This monument, located on the corner of Carrer Pintor Fortuny and Xuclà, in the Raval neighborhood of Barcelona, was the subject of a vandal attack in mid-December.
After almost two months of those events, the statue still has not been restored. However, the Barcelona City Council has already started the procedure to carry out its restoration, in response to the restoration demands of the Vitelloni collective.
The demand for restoration
The Vitelloni collective, which holds gatherings in the Raval district, has formulated a request for the statue to be restored before November 21, the date on which the 150th anniversary of the death of the painter Marià Fortuny is commemorated. The members of this collective demand that the statue be in condition for this significant date.
Reactions and municipal management
Santi Vilanova, spokesperson for the Vitelloni collective, has held talks with the culture councilor of the Ciutat Vella district, Albert Salmerón, who has expressed the intention to restore the statue as soon as possible. The municipal authorities have started the necessary arrangements to carry out the restoration, although recognizing that it will not be an easy task due to the nature of the material of the statue, made of white marble.
Additional requests
The Vitelloni collective has also asked for surveillance cameras to be placed in the area of the monument to prevent future acts of vandalism. In addition, they demand that a way be found to make the back of the statue visible, as it cannot currently be seen due to its location.
Custody of the pieces and municipal commitment
Sources from the Barcelona City Council have assured that the necessary arrangements are being made to restore the statue of Fortuny. Municipal technicians are guarding the pieces that were scattered after the vandal attack, and the most suitable technical solution for a reliable restoration is being sought. Despite the technical difficulties, the municipal authorities show their readiness to restore the statue as soon as possible.
