A cinema denies access to high school students because the teacher communicated in Valencian.

ValenciaThe Yelmo Campanar cinemas in Valencia refused to allow a group of students into a film screening because the teacher who booked the tickets addressed the company in Valencian and refused to switch languages, despite repeated requests from cinema staff. This was reported on January 28th by the school council of the Benicalap neighborhood high school in a statement, and the story was first reported by the newspaper on Thursday. Levant

According to the school board's report, which ARA has obtained, on December 17th, a teacher from the school contacted the company via email to make a reservation for approximately one hundred students. The students intended to see the film. The Captive, which narrates part of the life of the writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of QuixoteThe work was being analyzed in class. On January 8, 2026, the teacher requested more information and inquired about the possibility of a morning screening. The only response she received from the company manager was that she should write to him in Spanish because he did not understand Valencian, adding that he would only consider the request if it was made in Spanish. This response was repeated on four more occasions, with the manager refusing to allow a staff member proficient in both official languages ​​of the Valencian Community to handle the communication on behalf of the exhibitor. Ultimately, the screening did not take place.

The school council of the Valencian center has strongly criticized the company's actions and emphasized that the company manager did not even consider using one of the many free online translators—very easy to use for any written communication—and that he did not apologize for requesting a change of complaint. "On the contrary, it violated our linguistic rights, discriminating against us for speaking Valencian," the statement emphasizes.

The educational community of the Benicalap Institute says it is "speechless" at the treatment received and "astounded" that a major cultural institution would show "such serious contempt" for Valencian culture and identity, "demonstrating a clear lack of knowledge and sensitivity."

General condemnation

Organizations such as Escola Valenciana have condemned the company's actions, calling its behavior "unacceptable" and demanding accountability. The Plataforma per la Llengua (Platform for the Language) has also condemned the action, calling it "illegal." ARA has attempted to contact the company for comment on the criticism received, but has not yet been successful. It is worth noting that Yelmo Cines receives subsidies from various state administrations, including the Generalitat Valenciana (Valencian Government) and the Valencian Institute of Culture, as can be seen on its website.