Serious crisis in one of the pillars of Catalan culture in the Valencian Community

ValenciaCatalan-language theater in the Valencian Community is experiencing turbulent times following a crisis at one of the pillars of Valencian dramaturgy. This crisis stems from the split between the El Micalet Choral Society—one of Valencia's main cultural venues—and the Teatre Micalet Company—which shares the same name because, since its inception 31 years ago, it has performed its own shows and those of other touring companies in the society's building. The two societies parted ways after negotiations to renew the theater's lease failed, explaining the situation with statements that included accusations of "expulsion," "eviction," and "lock changes" without warning. In practice, the decision, which must be ratified at an extraordinary meeting of the choir on February 6, could mean the disappearance of the city's only theater that chose to offer performances exclusively in Valencian.

The first The statement was from the Teatre Micalet Company. which criticizes the fact that a non-profit cultural organization, the El Micalet Choral Society, "cannot consider the disappearance of a consolidated cultural project a solution to the structural [economic] problems it has been facing for some time." It also believes that the decision "can only be the result of a profound lack of understanding of what managing a stable performance space entails" and of "disinterest in the disappearance of one of the Valencian Community's leading cultural projects."

The company's reproaches They have been answered by the choir The choir argues that the management model for the hall, based on an exclusive rental agreement with the company, has placed it "in a very precarious financial situation." They also state that the rent paid to date "did not cover the actual maintenance costs of the hall, which the choir assumed," to the point of not even covering "the electricity costs." Furthermore, they emphasize that the company allowed the use of the space to third parties without providing any benefit to the choir beyond the rent payment. For all these reasons, they offered a new contract adapted to the operation of a multipurpose hall, which was rejected by the company, without "offering an alternative or agreeing to open negotiations." Consequently, the contractual relationship ended on the 15th; the choir regained control and management of the facilities.

In a conversation with ARA, one of the three founders of the theater group, playwright Joan Peris, admits that reaching this point of separation is a "shame," but justifies the rejection of the counteroffer to be part of a multipurpose venue managed by the choir because it breaks with a 31-year project of a company with a permanent venue where they can work. He also accuses the choir of disregarding the difficulty of securing a solid program and of having cultivated a loyal audience. Furthermore, he criticizes them for not having calculated the costs of managing a theater "with quality productions" and questions claims such as the electricity costs exceeding the rent. Peris criticizes the choir's president, writer Gemma Pasqual, and demands her resignation. Nevertheless, he expresses hope that the assembly on February 6 will reverse the situation and ensure that the company will continue regardless. In this regard, he points out that they currently have two shows on tour. Dancing, dancing and The Swallow.

The playwright's position is not shared by Pasqual, who, in conversation with ARA, acknowledges the pain caused by the conflict, but expresses her conviction that the choir needs to have access to its theater space when the theater company doesn't require it. In this regard, she reiterates that the group's doors are open and she is confident that the members will ratify the board's decision.

Institutional strangulation

To understand the separation of two previously sister societies, the choir and the Micalet Theatre, one must consider the "strangulation," in the words of Gemma Pasqual, applied by the People's Party after its return to the Valencia City Council and the Valencian Regional Government in 2023. This policy has substantially reduced funding for entities that promote the Valencian language, a language championed by the conservatives and their Vox partners. In fact, last year the El Micalet Choir Society... a charity concert to raise funds and in 2022 he denounced "the attacks, the targeting and the systematic harassment" suffered by his "cultural, educational and social project".