Aragon accuses the MNAC of failing to meet deadlines for returning the paintings from the monastery of Sixena

BarcelonaThe government of Aragon once again attacks the MNAC. The vice-president of the government of Aragon, Mar Vaquero, accused the museum's officials this Tuesday of new "dilatory practices" in the return of the mural paintings from the monastery of Sixena, and of failing to comply for eleven weeks with the schedule set by the magistrate of court number 2 of Huesca, Rocío Vergas. Vaquero explained in a press conference that they have already presented the allegations to the court of Huesca regarding the risk assessment report on the mural paintings submitted to the court by the MNAC, and two more documents: an evaluation of this report and another with information about the monastery of Sixena, the reserve areas where the works will arrive, and their conditions.

In its brief, which the government of Aragon became aware of on July 13, the MNAC requested the suspension of the 56-week deadline for the return of the mural paintings. For the government of Aragon, there are no grounds to suspend the execution of the sentence, and they believe that the request constitutes "a dilatory practice" and a "new obstacle" that evidences "bad faith in legal proceedings". In the order, the judge recalled the feasibility of dismantling, transporting, and subsequently reinstalling the mural paintings in Sixena and indicated that for this reason it is not admissible to attempt to reopen this debate in the execution phase.

Vaquero recalled that the MNAC is requesting the suspension of the schedule approved by the judge, alleging that the government of Aragon must provide it with information about the unloading, unpacking, and reinstallation area of the mural paintings in the monastery to finalize its risk assessment report, corresponding to phase 2 of the schedule, and to draft the information regarding the unloading and unpacking of the paintings and their reinstallation. However, she points out that the judge made it clear in the order that the part related to the installation is the exclusive responsibility of the executing party, that is, the government of Aragon, which is why "the suspension of the judicial schedule is not appropriate as these tasks do not correspond to the MNAC, but to Aragon," Vaquero emphasized.

The government of Aragon takes advantage of the allegations to inform the court that the 56-week schedule "is being repeatedly breached", that there are eleven weeks of delay in the fulfillment of the partial phases and that it has not even finished the first task that was to be developed, phase two of risk assessment "by declaring itself incapable of completing it". "We will always collaborate despite this permanent provocation" and "a spirit of permanent non-compliance with the sentence", said the vice-president, who stressed that the government of Aragon, which fears that this attitude will continue until the end, will continue to invoke justice so that the paintings return to Aragon.

In addition, Vaquero explained that the only body that can carry out the intervention, authorization or prescription regarding the arrival and installation of paintings is the Commission of Cultural Heritage of Huesca and not an organism of the Generalitat or the State, because the ownership of the assets belongs to Aragon.

The return of the profane paintings of Sixena

Regarding the profane paintings, it has been highlighted that the process for their return is underway and it has been recalled that recently a letter was received from the MNAC stating that they would return at the beginning of August and the government of Aragon responded that "this haste was totally inappropriate".

Also, that it was necessary to carry out a prior administrative intervention by the Provincial Commission of Heritage of Huesca and that in addition they had to send the technical project for the transfer and an updated conservation study. "We have not yet received any response," resolved the vice-president.