Over 40 writers from Alicante and Valencia have signed a manifesto in defence of the name of IES Isabel-Clara Simó, which the PP of l'Alcúdia de Crespins wants to remove. Compromís has also announced a motion of rejection in Alcoy.
A group of more than 40 writers from the regions of l'Alcoià-El Comtat and La Costera-El Canal have subscribed to a manifesto opposing the initiative of the PP of l'Alcúdia de Crespins, which aims to change the name of the local institute that currently honours the writer Isabel-Clara Simó (Alcoy, 1943-Barcelona, 2020).
The Popular Party justifies its proposal by arguing that the author "does not represent our town nor has the merits" for the educational centre to bear her name. However, the signatories of the manifesto believe that maintaining the name is "defending culture, education, language, and the memory of an author who dedicated her life to words, the transmission of knowledge, and our territory."
The text, released this Wednesday, emphasises that "the name of an institute is a declaration of principles, a reference for young people and future generations, and a recognition of the values that society decides to preserve and transmit." In this sense, the writers argue that Isabel-Clara Simó represents "commitment to culture, language, feminism, education, equality, literature, and free thought."
Isabel-Clara Simó was a secondary school teacher, directed the magazine "Canigó", published over 70 books of all genres, and wrote more than 1,000 articles in the press. The signatories particularly highlight that "she made many generations of Valencians read in our language for the first time, as her works are among the most studied in schools."
The author received numerous recognitions throughout her career, such as the Sant Jordi Prize for Novel (1993), the Creu de Sant Jordi from the Generalitat of Catalonia (1999), the Gold Medal and the title of Favourite Daughter of Alcoy (2013), the Honour Medal from Xarxa Vives d'Universitats (2016), the Honour Prize of Catalan Letters (2017), and the Isabel Ferrer Prize.
Alongside the manifesto, Compromís has announced that it will present a motion at the plenary session of the Alcoy City Council to express its rejection of the PP's measure. The political party considers that removing Simó's name from the institute is an "attack on culture and democratic memory."
The institute in l'Alcúdia de Crespins adopted the name Isabel-Clara Simó in 2020, shortly after the writer's death. Since then, the centre has worked to disseminate her legacy among the students. The local PP's decision has sparked a broad debate in the La Costera region, where Simó's figure is particularly valued for her connection to the area.
The signatories of the manifesto insist that "the career of the Alcoy native constitutes sufficient reason for the centre to bear her name" and warn that changing the name would mean "erasing a reference for young people and for Valencian culture."
The debate over the name of the institute comes in a context of political tension in the Valencian Community, where the PP governs in coalition with Vox. The final decision will correspond to the City Council of l'Alcúdia de Crespins, which will have to pronounce on the proposal in an upcoming plenary session.
Meanwhile, the writers continue to gather support for the manifesto, which already has the backing of prominent figures from Valencian literature. The aim is to pressure the council to maintain the name of Isabel-Clara Simó and prevent what they consider a "cultural regression."
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