The Calp City Council has received the resolution from the General Directorate of Coasts, Ports and Airports which authorizes the installation of the Mare de Déu del Carme sculpture in the port area. This sculptural group, designed by artist Arturo Serra Gómez, will be a tribute to the local seafaring family, coinciding with the centenary of the Brotherhood. However, the installation of the works cannot be carried out before the end of 2024.
The request to install the sculpture was made for the first time in 2022 before the General Directorate of Ports of the Public Works Department. It was proposed to locate it in an area of the port currently occupied by a group of containers. Subsequently, in January and March 2024, the Town Hall reiterated the request, with the aim of carrying out the installation during the centenary year of the Brotherhood. In April, the General Directorate responded by indicating that it was not possible to transfer the land, but that it was possible to authorize its occupation, which led the Town Hall to submit the final project in June and to ask for permission again.
Finally, the Town Hall received administrative authorization to begin the necessary work and actions. To proceed with the installation of the sculpture in the maritime public domain, the Consistory had to temporarily transfer the use of the work to the Department of Medi Environment, Infrastructure and Territory of the Generalitat Valenciana for a maximum period of 30 years.
According to the project, the sculpture will occupy an area of 19 m² of urbanized land in a garden area, where there are currently containers, some buried, which must be removed before the work begins. In addition, City Hall will close surrounding access to the sculpture on the perimeter to protect the area.
The sculptural group, the work of Arturo Serra, required an investment of 155.000 euros and represents the Virgin of Carmen, patroness of sailors, according to traditional iconography: with the child in her arms and a scapular in her hand, on a pedestal. floral offering. The Virgin will be accompanied by three costaleros or porters, who symbolize three generations (grandfather, father and young man), and a child, representing the future of the fishing sector.
Calp Mayor Ana Sala said: “Even if our intention was to install the sculpture in 2024 to celebrate the centenary of the Brotherhood, this will not be possible, but we will try to place it as soon as possible as a tribute to the fishing sector, which is going through many difficulties.