In Benidorm, “Picasso. El viaje del Guernica ”until September 1

Benidorm hosts, at the junction of Paseo Marítimo de la Playa de Levante with Avenida de Europa, the travelling exhibition “Picasso. El viaje del Guernica ”, organized by the 'la Caixa' Foundation and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, narrates in great detail the history, curiosities and journeys of the most famous painting of the 20th century since it was painted in Paris in 1937 until its arrival in Spain in 1981 to be exhibited in Casón del Buen Retiro and the last trip to its final location in Reina Sofía museum in Madrid.

The modular exhibition was inaugurated this morning by the mayor of Benidorm, accompanied by members of the government team and the town hall. Toni Pérez thanked 'la Caixa' Foundation, Caixa Bank and Caixa Forum "for choosing Benidorm, the place and the dates so that the greatest number of people can enjoy the artist's work and learn the details of it in depth".

In two modules, information panels, photographs, newspaper clippings of the time and videos are exposed, the details and vicissitudes of the mural's journey from when Pablo Picasso began to forge the idea in 1937 until today, already converted, in addition to symbol of modern art, in world anti-war emblem.

The mayor of Benidorm highlighted the interest and importance of this exhibition because "culture is necessary and we have to make it possible" at these moments, noting that in Benidorm, moreover, "it is done safely."

The exhibition has security measures and protocols, establishing visitor capacity according to a calendar of free and arranged visits.

Toni Pérez thanked la Caixa for "the important social work that it carries out" and "how close it has been to the productive fabric of Benidorm" in recent months and concluded by pointing to "the message of hope that this exhibition conveys", recalling what happened in 1991 waiting for the arrival of the work and its meaning.
The ‘Guernica’ was acquired from Picasso by the Spanish State in 1937. Due to the outbreak of the II World War, the artist decided that the painting should remain in the custody in the Museum of Modern Art in New York until the end of the war. In 1958 Picasso renewed the loan of the painting to MoMA indefinitely, until democratic freedoms were restored in Spain, finally returning the work to our country in 1981.

The event was welcomed by the Councilor for Culture, Jaime Jesús Pérez, the head of 'la Caixa' Foundation, and María Tomasa Rives, commercial director of Caixa Bank, who highlighted "the responsibility and commitment to clients and society ”of the main Spanish banking group. The Foundation pointed out the success of the city, the time and the place, and Councilor Jaime Jesús Pérez invited to visit the exhibition that will remain open until September 1, about to celebrate its first 30 years in Spain.

Accompanied by the curator Manuel Pedrol, the inaugural visit was made this morning, pointing out the details of a work and its 44-year journey through 28 cities to reach Spain.

Schedules, groups and languages
The exhibition can be visited from Monday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m. One-hour guided visits by Caixa Forum staff have been scheduled for the general public, which can be in Spanish (at 12 noon and 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and Tuesday and Thursday, at 7 p.m.) and in Valencian (Tuesday and Thursday, at 12 noon). There are even 30-minute Express tours that can also be commented in Spanish (Monday to Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.) and in Valencian (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 6:00 p.m.).

The organization plans to carry out visits for groups, including schoolchildren and other groups, having a telephone number for prior appointment: 900 80 11 37.