The Sorolla Museum Foundation receives the Premi 9 d'octubre Vila de Xàbia

The Plaza de la Iglesia has been today, the scene of the celebration of October 9 in Xàbia. Dozens of people as well as political, civil, and illustrious authorities, such as the singer Raimon and neighbors, have come to the gates of the Town hall to commemorate the festivity of all Valencians, although on this occasion, two days before as indicated by the calendar. The reason, the coincidence (October 7) with the day that marks the 125th anniversary of the arrival, for the first time, of Joaquín Sorolla to the town.

And it is that, starting today a cycle-tribute to the figure of the painter in Xàbia begins. The celebration of the institutional act of October 9 has been dedicated to him. On the one hand, the Premi 9 d'octubre Vila de Xàbia, which also coincides with its 25th edition, has been awarded, this 2021, to the Sorolla Museum Foundation.

Delivery of the Vila de Xàbia Award to the Sorolla Museum Foundation

On the other hand, the act has included the projection of several videos that evoked the impression that the artist took on October 7, 1896 through the writings in which he wrote to his wife. The projection has shown images, paintings and the words of the painter himself.

At the end of the awards ceremony, there was an audiovisual piano concert by the xabiera pianist, Marta Espinós, dedicated to the artist; 'Sorolla: a musical imaginari'.

Piano recital by Marta Espinós in the October 9 act dedicated to Sorolla

From the Sorolla Museum Foundation, its president, Antonio Mollá, has thanked the dedication of this award, "this award makes us very happy, it is an honor, in fact it is the first award they give us." Mollá has pointed out that the current Sorolla Museum is a reality "thanks to Clotilde (Sorolla's wife) who gave the painter's legacy to be exhibited".

The president of the Foundation has also made reference to the beauty of Xàbia as Sorolla did in his letters to Clotilde, where he described Xàbia as "sublime, wonderful."

President of the Sorolla Museum Foundation in the act 9 d'octubre de Xàbia

In turn, the Mayor of Xàbia, José Chulvi, has paid tribute, with his words, to the figure of Sorolla. The first mayor has reviewed that Xàbia is going to make a lasting and visible tribute to the figure of Sorolla, "uniting the name of Xàbia with that of the great painter is an act of justice that places us as references within the Circuit Cultural Valencià". In addition, Chulvi has added that in addition to the delivery of the Vila de Xàbia award to his Foundation, "a sculpture will be permanently installed and the Aduanas promenade will be named after the great painter."

The mayor of Xàbia has highlighted that the beauty of Xàbia that captivated the painter and captured on his canvases, continues to exist.

The mayor of Xàbia in the act 9 d'octubre -Premi Vila de Xàbia

On the other hand, and in the most institutional speech of the act, the mayor has indicated one of the great challenges for the City Councils, to have sufficient funding and freedom to be able to act as the closest administration. "Our greatest challenge is to make sure that our neighbors find the necessary conditions every day to carry out their life project in Xàbia".

Chulvi has justified that “the City Councils are far from the big headlines, but close to reality, putting a face, skin and eyes on day-to-day affairs. We don't see statistics, we see people who
we know, families with whom we share the street and the deepest experiences. And for that reason we will rebel as many times as necessary against the rules that tie our hands and claim that everyone's money remains standing in a drawer before investing them in the service of the people ”.