Spanish Minister of Culture calls to debate without fear about asking for forgiveness from Mexico

Madrid. The Minister of Culture of the Spanish government, Ernest Urtasun, spoke publicly of “opening without fear” the debate on the need to apologize to the indigenous peoples of Latin America, specifically Mexico, in order to advance what he defined as the “reunion” between “a brother country and a government”, in reference to the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Urtasun, who belongs to the Sumar coalition of left-wing parties, a minority sector of the Spanish Executive, chaired by the socialist Pedro Sánchez, recognized that he himself was “key” to the first steps towards reconciliation between Mexico and Spain, which in recent years have suffered a diplomatic and political crisis following the fact that former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador asked Spain to apologize to the native peoples for the grievances caused by the Conquest, a request that the current president endorsed, and which was not even answered by the Spanish government or by the representatives of the royal house, since the letter was addressed to the head of state, King Felipe VI.

INAH exhibitions, keys

In an informative breakfast, organized by the Europa Press news agency, Urtasun explained his work in matters of “cultural diplomacy and culture of peace”, in which he cited two specific cases: that of Mexico and that of Ukraine. In relation to our country, she highlighted her work for the opening in Madrid of four exhibitions with indigenous women as the axis, in collaboration with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). “A cultural cooperation that is being key in the reunion with a brother country and government,” he assured.

Later, when asked about the relationship with Mexico and the steps that the Spanish government has taken so far towards reconciliation, and whether forgiveness should be included in Spanish museums that refer to the native peoples of America, Urtasun responded: “forgiveness is not an issue that has to do with museographies. Experts try to make museographies that are current, respectful and attractive to the public. On the issue of forgiveness, I think Minister Albares was clear the other day, when he said that there is no need to have fear of facing the possible abuses and injustices that were committed in the past. And as for Mexico, I can tell you that I am very proud that what the Secretary of Culture of Mexico and I are doing in terms of cultural cooperation is allowing us to open the way for reunion and friendship between two countries that in today’s world need to walk hand in hand.

–Is that enough or is it necessary to take another step?

–The statement by Minister Albares, which has been in preparation for some time and the very good reception it had in Mexico, opens a way for us to face these debates without any fear.

“In the same way that we face the renewal of our museography without fear, I believe that these debates have to be opened without fear.

“Sometimes I have the impression that it is difficult for Spain to open certain debates, but then, little by little, these debates are winners.”