President of Aragon demands 'unconditional return' of Sixena murals from Catalonia

The president of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, has demanded the "unconditional return" of the Sixena murals from Catalonia.

In a media appearance in Zaragoza on Thursday, Azcón expressed confidence in the "collaboration and cooperation" of the Catalan government.

The Aragonese president insisted that the transfer be carried out "as soon as possible," but added that it was obvious that it "won't happen in just one day."

On Tuesday, the Spanish Supreme Court confirmed a ruling ordering the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) in Barcelona to return the medieval murals to the convent of Vilanova de Sixena in Aragon, where they were originally painted.

"Historic and fair" ruling

Azcón celebrated the "historic and fair" ruling, which he described as the culmination of years of effort by Aragon, Catalonia's western neighbor.

The president of the region said that the only possibility that he envisions is that the Catalan government will cooperate with the Aragonese government so that the Sixena artworks return to Aragón "as soon as possible" and with all necessary safety measures to ensure the murals do not suffer "any damage."

Azcón insisted he will provide all necessary support to transfer the murals "to the place where they belong," but remarked that, the legal obligation imposed by the judges to carry out the operation lies with the Catalan government.

"I don't even want to consider that they won't do it with the same degree of loyalty and cooperation that we will show from Aragon," said Azcón, who referred to the decision as a "triumph" for Aragonese society.

Illa: Ruling must be respected

Catalonia's President Salvador Illa has stated that he does not want to "obstruct" the enforcement of Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling that upheld the order for the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) to return medieval murals to the convent of Vilanova de Sixena in Aragon.

Speaking to the media in Kobe, Japan, Illa said that "the scope of the ruling is what it is," and that "it must be respected."

However, the president did express concern that the artworks could be damaged during transport and therefore emphasized the importance of not taking risks.

When asked what leeway there is to avoid transferring the artworks or ensuring their safety, Illa said that it was up to the MNAC to decide how the ruling should be implemented and under what terms.

Debate on risks

What is needed now, Illa said, is a "technical debate" about the potential risks of moving the 13th-century murals, noting that "some experts show high levels of concern" while "others do not."

Illa has already been in contact with the director of the MNAC and intends to discuss the situation with Catalonia's Minister of Culture, Sònia Hernández.

When asked whether he intends to talk with the President of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, Illa said that Aragon already knows his opinion and that he can "imagine" what the Aragonese president thinks.

Supreme Court ruling

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court confirmed a ruling from a lower court that ordered the MNAC to return the Romanesque murals from the Chapter House of Sixena to the convent where they were originally painted.

The judges ruled that the MNAC was never the owner of the paintings, but rather the custodian, and therefore the case has not expired.

The MNAC had warned that removing the mural paintings from their current location and transferring them to the original convent could seriously damage them.