A call to the defense of creativity
A group of four ex -mayors from Ripoll, including names such as Pere Jordi Piella and Teresa Jordà, have expressed their concern in a manifesto that criticizes the current government’s position, led by Sílvia Orriols de Catalana Catalana, towards youth and art. This concern was born as a result of the veto imposed by the mayor in an exhibition of students of the Abat Oliva Institute, which included the image of a young woman with veil.
Complaint of an authoritarian attitude
The former mayor describes this action as ‘reprocessing’ and linking it to a ‘xenophobic and authoritarian attitude’, which forced the exhibition to move to another space. This incident, occurring on March 4, is only one of the examples that, according to say, reflect a worrying tendency in the current municipal management.
Negative impact on Ripoll’s image
The document emphasizes that the presence of the Catalan Alliance in the Government has associated the name of Ripoll with controversies and tensions that had not been present in the recent history of the municipality. This situation, they say, harms the external perception of the town, discouraging tourism and economic development.
Freedom of expression as the basis of society
The signatories of the manifesto emphasize the importance of freedom of expression and artistic creation as the foundations of a healthy society. They warn that artists could feel threatened if their works are subject to censorship by subjective criteria.
A look at the past and the future
The former mayor recalls that similar situations of repression were common during the Franco dictatorship, and with their manifesto they seek to restore the prestige of Ripoll as a ‘dynamic and integrative town’, with a rich cultural and industrial heritage. They consider that the recovery of this image is essential for the future of the municipality.
A call to human rights education
Finally, the manifesto invokes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and calls for all Ripoll educational institutions to integrate teaching human rights and freedom of expression in their curricula.
Step to the City Council for approval
The document has been presented to the City Council, where the former mayors expect it to become a roadmap for the mayor’s actions, with the aim that human rights are a governing principle in municipal management.
