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Diari Valencià

Xàtiva and Vila-real Strengthen Cultural Ties to Commemorate Carles Sarthou

Both Valencian cities are collaborating on projects to highlight the figure of the archivist and museologist, especially for his 150th anniversary in 2026.

Generic image of a library with historical documents, representing cultural collaboration between cities.
IA

Generic image of a library with historical documents, representing cultural collaboration between cities.

The city councils of Xàtiva and Vila-real have held a working meeting to strengthen cultural cooperation between both cities, with special attention to the figure of Carles Sarthou and their shared historical ties.

The meeting brought together representatives from the cultural, museum, archive, and institutional relations fields of Vila-real, along with Xàtiva's Culture Councilor. The objective was to advance a joint agenda of activities and projects that highlight their shared heritage.
During the meeting, the historical relationship between Xàtiva and Vila-real was emphasized. Both cities were marked by destruction during the War of the Spanish Succession and are linked by the memory of the so-called “burnt towns”. In this context, the figure of Carles Sarthou was highlighted as a common element between the two localities.
Sarthou, born in Vila-real in 1876, was an archivist and museologist who carried out significant work in the recovery and conservation of Xàtiva's historical heritage. His work in research and documentary preservation has made him a reference figure in the Valencian cultural sphere.
Among the best-known elements of his legacy is his act of placing the portrait of Philip V upside down in the Xàtiva Museum, as a symbolic protest against the burning of the city in 1707. This image has become a symbol of Xàtiva's historical memory.
Both cities have begun working on the preparation for the 150th anniversary of Carles Sarthou's birth, which Vila-real will commemorate in November 2026. Within this framework, Xàtiva's collaboration is anticipated, including the loan of materials, technical support, digital reproductions, and participation in cultural and educational activities.
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"Sarthou is a pivotal figure in the recovery of our city's history and heritage, and he was also a great agitator of the city's cultural life. For this reason, we are preparing a series of events jointly with Vila-Real for the autumn that will highlight all the vital facets of this illustrious character."

the Culture Councilor of Xàtiva
The meeting also explored other lines of cooperation, such as the exchange of documentation and heritage collections, coordination between music bands, and the study of a shared cultural axis between Sant Pasqual and the convent of Sant Onofre de Xàtiva. Both institutions have agreed to continue meetings in the coming months to finalize the calendar of planned activities and the programming related to the 2026 commemoration.

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