We must not lose sight of the unfortunate project to convert the family crypt of Ausiàs March into a jacuzzi, about which we already spoke here. The remains of the poet's family rest in the monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba, in the Valencian region of Safor, and the complex is an architectural jewel of exceptional heritage, historical and cultural value. However, the Alfauir Town Hall wants to move forward with its Special Plan for the Protection of the Northern Sector of the town, which, rather than a protection plan, is a plan for tourism and exploitation that foresees, among other things, housing a hotel establishment with a spa within the monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba. Doing so would not only be a desecration of the legacy of one of the most important European poets of the 15th century (a Valencian from Gandia who wrote his work in Catalan), but also a serious attack against the landscape and culture of a particularly sensitive area of the Valencian Country.There is one thing that can be done to stop it: submitting allegations against the project. Everyone can do it, including you who are reading this article. The most effective way is through the website of the literary society Saforíssims (saforissims.org), which provides instructions for submitting allegations. It takes less than ten minutes, the deadline is August 31st, and it is an excellent way to go further in civic activism than just complaining on social media. Incidentally, if you don't know them, you will have the opportunity to get in touch with Saforíssims, one of the most dynamic and interesting literary groups in the Catalan Countries.Social pressure (in the street, but also through administrative and, if necessary, judicial channels) is effective, even if some deny it. The feeling of impunity, of not receiving a response or resistance, is what often encourages bad rulers to commit aggressions against culture and the environment in favor of not at all hidden interests: behind the upheaval that the Alfauir City Council proposes to carry out, there is a hospitality company specialized in the gentrification of emblematic places, and therefore, there is also a buck to be made. We live in times when so-called saviors dedicate themselves to trying to scare people by denouncing great dangers to the country, to see if they can get a few votes that way through the easy path of blaming immigrants (the poor, the black; we will insist on this quite a bit). However, great damage often comes from close by, from within: from rulers who do not work to care for and protect but to harm and speculate; who do not seek the prosperity of society, but easy money for a few; who try to justify their abuses and outrages with excuses and lies; rulers like those in Alfauir (who, incidentally, are from Compromís) are the ones who most often do harm and do not repair it. But we citizens also have the right and the capacity – the power, if you like – to do something about it. Let's submit allegations (it's a moment!) and defend Sant Jeroni de Cotalba.
