"The paintings from Sijena, both the murals and the secular works, belong to the people of Aragón, and the Government of Aragón will demand that the ruling be enforced as soon as possible. We would like to see greater loyalty and cooperation from the MNAC. These paintings have to come, and we hope they come as soon as possible, that they help, and that we try to do this in the easiest way possible," Azcón explained on Tuesday.
Amid an ongoing tug-of-war over one of the most important treasures of Aragonese cultural heritage, the president expressed his intention that "the best possible neighborly relations exist between Aragón and Catalonia". He had already made this clear last week at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Poblet, attended by the four territories of the former Crown of Aragon.
"It is clear that we sometimes encounter obstacles or attitudes that are not appropriate for two autonomous communities that need to improve their relations. That is what we seek, but for that to happen, something very important is required: judicial rulings must be complied with. The paintings from Sijena belong to all the people of Aragón, and what the Government of Aragón will do is precisely defend Aragón’s interests and defend ownership of the paintings from Sijena," he concluded.
The 56-week deadline the MNAC has to return the murals to the Monastery of Sijena remains in effect, placing the limit in June 2027, although the Government of Aragón has stated on several occasions that delays of up to eleven weeks have already accumulated.
