Miguel Hernandez off-limits to Orihuela Costa residents and tourists

The ruling PP party at Orihuela Town Hall has once again failed to include coastal residents, and non-Spanish speaking tourists, in what is an important year for the municipality of Orihuela, says PSOE opposition councillor, Rosa Martinez.

A brochure – entitled Pasion Por El Poeta - detailing a year of events to celebrate the centenary year of Orihuela-born poet, Miguel Hernandez, has been produced – but in Spanish only.  None of the planned events during 2010 are set to take place on the coast of Orihuela.

Rosa Martinez said: “The PP mayor of Orihuela, Monica Lorente, travelled recently to the FITUR tourism show in Madrid to promote Orihuela and its role in the centenary year of Miguel Hernandez, and yet this official brochure caters only for Spanish-speaking tourists. This is an extremely short-sighted approach to take when international tourism is so important to the economic health of our municipality. I am sure she forgot to tell the King of Spain about this oversight.”

She added: “Secondly, Ms Lorente has forgotten once again that almost a third of her municipality comprises international residents, and most of them live on the coast. The move to provide information about this internationally renowned poet in Spanish only, and to neglect the coast when organising events, is yet another snub to coastal residents. I am certain that commercial centres such as those at Playa Flamenca, Villamartin, Los Dolses, La Fuente and the VIA Parks, which need more tourism and more business, would have appreciated an involvement in hosting events to celebrate this centenary year.  It is clear the PP government is happy to take tax money from coastal residents and businesses but has no interest whatsoever in investing in the future of the area, or sharing the spoils of what is such an important and potentially lucrative year.”

The PP ruling party of Orihuela has yet to organise a single ‘Miguel Hernandez’ event for the coast. The PSOE opposition party has held several including a poetry reading night in Spanish, English and German, an art exhibition, and a flamenco show. 

The PSOE has translated the guide to events for the forthcoming weeks into English and German. Go to http://www.orihuelacostapsoe.eu or call into the PSOE office on the coast, opposite the Cabo Roig medical centre, on weekdays between 11am and 1pm.

Rebecca Griffin