The Popular Party of Xàtiva has expressed its indignation at what it considers a political decision by the municipal government, led by Roger Cerdà, to remove the historical reference "by privilege of Jaume I since 1250" from the Fira d'Agost poster. According to the PP, this formula identifies the origin of the fair and is part of the city's heritage.
However, the artist responsible for the designs, Dani Nebot, has confirmed that the reference does appear in the twelve presented designs, inserted in a box next to the city's coat of arms. The artist himself stated that "the privilege part is what I like least, it's an event for the people," clarifying that it was a "personal opinion".
The popular spokesperson, Marcos Sanchis, has described the decision as "sectarian" and an "absolute contradiction," recalling that the City Council recently approved adherence to the Year of Jaume I. Sanchis considers that the phrase "Per privilegi de Jaume I des de 1250" belongs to the people of Xàtiva and not to any political party, being the "historical explanation" that differentiates the Fira de Xàtiva from other celebrations.
The PP accuses the government of PSOE and Xàtiva Unida of acting with "sectarianism" and feeling "uncomfortable" with historical references that do not fit their vision. Sanchis has emphasized that, precisely in the year commemorating the figure of Jaume I, the poster should reinforce this historical identity, not hide it.
In response, councilwoman María Beltrán has described the PP's criticisms as "false" and "a controversy stirred up over a poster they apparently haven't even looked at." She assured that Jaume I "remains on the poster" and that the municipal government "remains proud of Xàtiva's history," questioning whether the PP "thinks before it writes and publishes".
