* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia
I share in Las Fotos de los Lectores de La Vanguardia, these photographs that I took this Sunday on the occasion of the demonstration called for the opening of the Manuel Alvar public library, located in the Guindalera neighborhood of the Salamanca district of Madrid.
The citizen march followed a tour from the Institute of E.S. Avenida de los Toreros, to the door of Manuel Alvar, coinciding that Sunday, April 23, was celebrated on Book Day.
And, in addition, it is four years since the closure of the library due to remodeling works (on April 19, 2023), due to conflicts between the different administrations (the Community of Madrid manages it and the ownership is from the Ministry of Culture ) and their own negligence and incompetence.
The demonstration, although modest in its participation, took place in a festive and demanding atmosphere, with the slogan, among others, “Manuel Alvar, open now!”, as well as with posters and banners such as “Manuel Alvar, 1,458 days closed”, “From A to Iceta opens the library” and “Broken promises”.
There were numerous children in the company of their parents and the assistance of young and old.
After an hour and a half, a manifesto was read at the doors of the library, and the event was concluded. Libraries open, not close!
