The exhibition, located at the Municipal Archive on Labradores Street, will be open to the public from Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 1 PM, until May 24. This initiative is part of a broader program of activities dedicated to promoting the lives and works of these two significant cultural figures from Alicante.
“"This year we want to disseminate the life and work of these two Alicante figures with activities such as the tribute we held on the Explanada next to Varela's statue with Esplá's music, conferences, concerts, and this exhibition. It is a duty and a source of pride to remember both, and from the City Council, we also want to bring their careers closer to new generations."
The exhibition's inauguration was attended by relatives of Emilio Varela, Rafael Altamira, and Ramón Malluguiza, who served as mayor of Alicante when the avenue was named after Óscar Esplá. In the research room of the Municipal Archive, visitors can explore the biographies of the painter and the musician, accompanied by photographs from the collection of photographer Francisco Sánchez. Also on display is the poster for the August 1926 Festivities, a work by Emilio Varela.
Among the documents exhibited are photographs of Emilio Varela posing on Toledo Street and at the Hermitage of Santa Cruz, as well as images from exhibitions held at the Ateneo Literario between 1926 and 1928. Also featured is the cover of the magazine Festa from 1936, created by Varela, and an original sketch with an explanation and photo of the Hoguera of the Santa Cruz neighborhood from 1934. The display case dedicated to Óscar Esplá showcases photographs of his experiences in Alicante, including snapshots of the Óscar Esplá awards, the inauguration of Óscar Esplá Avenue with Mayor Ramón Malluguiza in 1973, and tribute concerts from 1966.
Emilio Varela is considered one of the most significant artists from Alicante in Spanish painting of the mid-20th century, known for his local landscapes, Mediterranean light, and self-portraits, having been a disciple of Sorolla and Lorenzo Casanova. For his part, Óscar Esplá was a prominent composer, orchestra conductor, pianist, music professor, philosopher, and intellectual. In addition to his chamber music compositions, concerts, opera, ballet, and vocal works, he was responsible for revising and adapting the sacred drama of the Misteri d'Elx. Both were friends and coincidentally passed away on the same day, January 6, 25 years apart.
