Diplomatic operation to save Barcelona's Arda Turan bank

BarcelonaBarcelona's most popular unintentional monument can no longer be visited. For two weeks now, the Arda Turan bench has not occupied its privileged place in the Jardinets de Gràcia. Just as explained the NOWThe renovation work on the Llobregat corner of this corner of the city has condemned this piece of street furniture, which in recent years had become a pilgrimage point for the Turkish community visiting the Catalan capital. Now, as this newspaper can report, the bench will have a second life.

This is, at its core, a short story of diplomacy. Let's recall the case at hand. Despite his rather discreet time at Barça, the former Turkish footballer—an idol in his country—had time to leave his mark on the city: a bench in the Jardinets de Gràcia that bears his name and still appears on Google Maps. The bench became popular years ago after Turan was photographed sitting there on one of the countless nights he went out to dinner with his numerous friends.

Since then, this patch of land at the top of Passeig de Gràcia was filled with Turks making the pilgrimage to have their photo taken with the former footballer. Most also left their signatures. Soon the bench was covered in scribbles. When the ARA newspaper reported in January that this ritual was on its last legs, Turan's fervent followers quickly mobilized. The bench had to be saved.

According to sources at the Turkish consulate in the city, following that news, some Turkish citizens living in Barcelona contacted them, asking them to intercede on behalf of the bench. No sooner said than done. The diplomatic office soon opened talks with the City Council, which they approached about the possibility of placing it on the same spot where the renovation of the Jardinets had been completed. Nothing came of it.

Plan B

A plan B then began to take shape. After the possibility of preserving the bench was ruled out after a brief debate at City Hall, the Turkish consulate came knocking on the council's door again with a second proposal: to find out if, since the Catalan capital didn't want it, there was the option of keeping this remnant of Arda Turan's time. This time they were lucky.

Two weeks ago, the bench was finally removed from the Jardinets de Gràcia. However, instead of taking it to the recycling center, City Hall workers took it to another space in the city, where it is being guarded by the Turkish consulate. From there, the plan is for it to travel to Turkey soon, where Arda Turan himself is waiting for it. After speaking with the consul, the former Turkish footballer will have saved his legacy in Barcelona from disappearing with one last feint.