The PPdeG has brought to the forefront this Friday the defense of the identity and culture of Galicia during a visit to the Museum of Pontevedra, where the painting by Castelao 'A derradeira leición do mestre' is exhibited. In this context, the party has also highlighted the social agreement on the language presented the day before.
The councilor of Culture, Language and Youth of the Xunta, José López, has defined 'A derradeira leición do mestre' as "one of the most important symbols of Galician identity" and has considered its temporary arrival in Galicia as a "historical reparation."
Furthermore, he has pointed out that the work is "a demonstration of that Galician spirit that the Popular Party has" and that characterizes them "very clearly," a "moderate, integrative, updated, and modern Galicianism" that declares itself "very proud of its values and symbols."
The councilor has also linked this exhibition to the agreement reached in the Parliament of Galicia to renew the General Plan for the Normalization of the Galician Language, emphasizing that, in his opinion, this text reflects the position of a social majority that sees Galician as "a symbol and heritage of all."
"The Popular Party is the one that resembles Galicia the most," emphasized the provincial president of the PP of Pontevedra and head of the Diputación, Luis López. He also indicated that more than 17,000 people have already visited the exhibition, although he clarified that the final count is still open. With the provisional data, he pointed out that it could become the most visited exhibition in the history of the Museum of Pontevedra.
López has attributed the temporary displacement of the canvas to Pontevedra to the cooperation between institutions and the work of Rafael Domínguez, assuring that the previous PSOE and BNG executives in the Diputación did not manage to materialize this project.
The popular leader has insisted that "Castelao belongs to everyone. And here, anyone who tries to appropriate him is absolutely doomed to failure."
The vice president of the Diputación and PP candidate for the Mayor of Pontevedra, Rafael Domínguez, has emphasized that the exhibition is being "an incredible success" and has particularly highlighted the influx of young people, for whom the contemplation of the painting "changed the perspective of the history of Galicia."
On the other hand, the general secretary of the PPdeG, Paula Prado, has insisted that they cannot "allow the legacy of Castelao to become a reference of an ideology and that no one appropriates this important legacy."
Prado has claimed the work promoted by the Diputación for the piece to temporarily return to Galicia and be exhibited in Pontevedra, linking this management with the defense of Galician culture, history, and identity.
The general secretary of the PPdeG has emphasized that Prado defended that the agreement on the language reached in the Parliament, which this document is based on, according to her words, is based on "consensus, cordial bilingualism, and freedom" and has recalled that it received the support of 50 of the 75 deputies of the Parliament of Galicia: "only a radical minority remains outside the pact, which is the Bloque Nacionalista Galego," she pointed out.
Also present during the visit was the coordinator of Culture of the PPdeG, María Baleato.