The Spanish government’s initiative to “decolonize” the nation’s museums, announced by Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun, is facing backlash from the right-wing political spectrum in the country. Urtasun aims to review the 17 state-run museums to address colonial, gender-based, and ethnocentric narratives in the representation of heritage, history, and artistic legacies. The move aligns with similar endeavors in state-run museums globally, emphasizing the need for a more honest and historically accurate narrative surrounding national treasures.
Political Opposition to Decolonization Efforts
While the intention to foster intellectual discussions about Spain’s colonial past and its impact on national museums is evident, the People’s Party, the main opposition, and the Vox Party on the hard right criticize the initiative. Borja Sémper of the People’s Party labels it as a “debate forcibly imported from the extreme left or woke left,” while Vox Party goes further, accusing Urtasun of being a “hispanaphobe.” Opposition arguments focus on the notion that such efforts aim to tarnish Spain’s image and suppress its cultural achievements.
Right-Wing Accusations of Censorship
Ironically, despite their claims of protecting culture, the right-wing parties in Spain, particularly Vox, have faced accusations of censorship. Vox successfully halted the annual Periferias Festival in Huesca, dedicated to Gypsy culture, and faced criticism for obstructing a production of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Orlando’ due to its gender-shifting themes. The right’s accusations against the “woke” left are met with counterclaims that they themselves champion censorship.
Defense of Intellectual Discussion and Artistic Freedom
Ernest Urtasun, defending the reviews, argues that the initiative is not about censoring art but rather about protecting culture and fostering an equal society. He contends that understanding the relevance of culture is crucial for democracy, fundamental rights, freedoms, and the welfare state. Despite political opposition, Urtasun emphasizes the importance of intellectual discussions around Spain’s colonial history and its representation in national museums.
Prado Museum’s Early Involvement in Decolonial Work
The Prado Museum, one of Spain’s largest museums, has already been actively engaged in decolonial work since 2021. Exhibitions at the Prado have showcased native Latin American works that were previously overlooked by the country’s cultural institutions. This step is particularly significant for a nation with a colonial history that includes one of the largest empires in history and the conquering and decimation of entire cultures in South America.
As Spain grapples with the tension between decolonial introspection and political opposition, the debates underscore the complexity of addressing historical narratives and cultural representation in the context of a nation’s identity.
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