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Controversy over Guernica de Picasso: plans to move it to Bilbao divide opinion
The possible relocation of Guernica de Picasso once again puts Madrid at the centre of the cultural debate. The proposal to take the work to Bilbao has prompted a firm response from the Community, at a time when the capital's role in managing art is once again being questioned.
President Isabel Díaz Ayuso has rejected the idea and defended the cultural value of Madrid, where the painting is displayed at the Museo Reina Sofía. For the regional government, the move is driven more by political interests than by artistic criteria.
The Basque Government's request is to move the work temporarily, coinciding with a symbolic date. However, the Reina Sofía itself has advised against the move for technical and conservation reasons.
The museum, located next to Atocha and the cultural axis of the Paseo del Prado, is one of the city's main attractions. Guernica de Picasso is a central part of its collection and draws thousands of visitors every day.
The debate goes beyond a single work and reopens a recurring question: who decides where major cultural symbols should be, and what role does Madrid play as an artistic centre?
For those who visit or live in the city, the impact is clear: Guernica de Picasso remains a key piece of the cultural circuit, in a discussion that blends heritage, politics and cultural models.