DESCRIPTION
Commemorative sculptural ensemble dedicated to the emigrants of Castilblanco, located within the urban centre and conceived as a tribute to the generations who were forced to leave their homeland in search of new opportunities.
HISTORY
The monument to emigrants arose as recognition of a phenomenon that profoundly marked the contemporary history of Castilblanco and the La Siberia region: emigration. During the 20th century, a significant part of the population had to move to other territories for economic and labour reasons, shaping a social reality that left a deep mark on the municipality.
The creation of this space reflects the desire to preserve the memory of these experiences, integrating them into the urban landscape as an element of remembrance and collective recognition. The monument-fountain in honour of emigrants was inaugurated on 5 December 2000 and forms part of recent initiatives aimed at enhancing local identity and history. Reyes Abades, the specialist in cinematic special effects, designed the monument to emigrants located in a small square, on whose pavement words of hope and nostalgia are engraved. The main part of the work is a fountain representing two open hands raised towards the sky on top of a large rock.
HISTORICAL AND ARTISTIC DESCRIPTION
The ensemble is conceived as a sculptural space integrated into a small square, where symbolic and compositional elements are combined to convey the experience of emigration. A central fountain stands out, whose main piece consists of two open hands facing the sky, placed on a large rock, creating an image with a strong expressive charge linked to hope and effort.
The pavement of the space incorporates inscriptions with words associated with nostalgia, remembrance and the search for a better future, reinforcing the emotional character of the ensemble. The work moves away from classical monumental approaches to adopt a contemporary language focused on symbolism and direct connection with the viewer.
Its location within the urban environment facilitates its integration into the daily life of the municipality, functioning as a place of memory and reflection.
RELEVANT FIGURES RELATED TO THE POI
The monument was designed by Reyes Abades, a native of Castilblanco, whose professional career achieved notable national and international recognition.
His relevance lies not only in his career in the audiovisual field, but also in his constant connection with his hometown, to which he contributed through different initiatives. Among them stands out the donation of the Olympic arrow used during the opening ceremony of the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, currently preserved in the Town Hall.
The authorship of this monument reinforces its cultural value, as it is a work conceived by a prominent figure who maintains a strong identity link with the municipality.
MOVABLE HERITAGE
Sculptural elements that make up the ensemble, including the central fountain and the pavement inscriptions, which constitute the material core of the monument.
INTANGIBLE HERITAGE
The monument is closely linked to the collective memory of emigration, representing values such as effort, resilience and rootedness. It acts as a space of recognition for those who left the town and as a symbol of shared identity between generations.
