Lack of planning, poor execution, and minimal public interest mark cultural event, claims local political group
Orihuela, Spain — The municipal group Cambiemos Orihuela has strongly criticized the recent “Night of the Museums” event, labeling it a failure and accusing the local government of poor planning and lack of cultural commitment. Held on May 17 to commemorate International Museum Day, the event featured only a limited number of activities, which the group described as unappealing and hastily organized.
According to Leticia Pertegal, spokesperson and councilor for Cambiemos Orihuela, the event lacked proper preparation and failed to generate public interest. “This event was thrown together at the last minute. For such an important international celebration, there should have been a diverse range of engaging activities aimed at all types of audiences,” she said.
Pertegal further noted that the activity was only announced three days prior to its execution, which she claims is indicative of the Culture Department’s lack of commitment. “Once again, this shows us that Vox has no interest in culture. Worse still, they have no idea how to manage the department,” she added.
Cambiemos Orihuela also raised concerns about the lack of official documentation for the event. Pertegal said she requested the relevant files on May 6, but received a response two days later from the Culture Department stating that no such documents existed. The group is now demanding clarity on how the event was contracted and who was responsible for its organization.
In addition to their criticism of the event, Cambiemos Orihuela also highlighted the broader neglect of the city’s museums. The group pointed out that the Comarcal Archaeological Museum has been closed for four years, and the Nativity Scene Museum, located in the Hermitage of the Holy Sepulchre, is only open during the Christmas season, leaving the facility underused for the rest of the year.
They also emphasized the absence of regular programming in the city’s other museums, contrasting it with nearby cities like Lorca, Cartagena, and Murcia, which organize weekly activities such as conferences, film screenings, educational workshops, and guided tours.
“There is no real effort in Orihuela to integrate museums into educational and cultural development,” said Pertegal, underlining the missed opportunity to make museums a dynamic part of the community.
Cambiemos Orihuela is calling for a complete reassessment of the city’s cultural strategy and stronger support for museums as essential spaces for learning and engagement.
