After more than thirty years dedicated to municipal cultural management, Maribel Font has reflected on her career, highlighting the importance of culture for "good living" and lamenting the lack of infrastructure in Dénia that hinders programming. Font stated that the city requires a theatre, a House of Culture that is not shared, and a suitable art space to host major exhibitions and accommodate local artists.
During her tenure, reference events such as the Música al Castell festival, the Cineclub, the Mostra de Dansa, the Dénia Jazz Festival, and the Activitats en Família cycle were consolidated. Font stressed that, despite difficulties, she always endeavoured to make things "easy" for artists and associations, a philosophy that earned her recognition from 25 regional artists who paid tribute to her with an exhibition at the Centre d’Art l’Estació.
The retired technician criticized the lack of cultural policy at the Generalitat level and the dependence of cultural facilities on having "a local politician in Valencia," calling it "Third World." She also defended the economic and social return of investment in culture, although she regrets it is not sufficiently valued.
Font recalled the beginnings of cultural management in Dénia, when "everything was to be done," and highlighted the importance of the city's associative network, which actively participated in programming. She also emphasized the need for more human and budgetary resources for the Culture department, which she considers "essential" rather than a luxury.
Regarding her retirement, Font expressed satisfaction with the work done and wished for the department to continue in good hands, recommending patience and perseverance in the face of management challenges with limited staff. The artists' tribute, she said, makes her feel "super happy" and "rich" for her health.
