A RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION REVIEWS THE HISTORY OF JAVEA'S CENTRAL CINEMA

Culture

Press Release / 2012-03-23 17:35:01

The exhibition, organized by “El Generador Cultural”, is an attempt to create a debate on the social importance of this building to the Old Town

The association “El Generador Cultural", in collaboration with the Department of Culture of the Javea Town Hall, will open its exhibition "The Central Cinema: Past and Present" on Friday. The retrospective exhibition is a collection of photos and memorabilia of the history of what was once the most iconic buildings in the town's social life from the 50's to late 90's.

The retrospective show is being installed in the Soler Blasco Museum and will remain open to the public until 27 April. As part of the "Coming Soon" project being promoted by “El Generador Cultural”, its aim is to awaken the collective memory by way of the history of the place and thus reopen the debate on the social significance of converting the building that hosed the former cinema into a future cultural centre or headquarters for associations.

According to representatives of this association, the building that houses the Central Cinema is located in the Old Town and it was originally used as a storehouse for almonds, until the Ortuño family bought it and turned it into the second cinema in the town. In April 1955 the Central Cinema opened its doors to the public with a screening of the Oscar-winning film "The Greatest Show on Earth" by Cecil B. DeMille. In 1990, the Central Cinema closed after a 35-year run of projecting films, hosting the first film club and - thanks to its stage and excellent acoustics - hosting children's festivals, plays and skits, fiestas presentations and even music concerts.

In 1998 it was acquired by the Javea Town Hall and it has remained closed for 14 years. It is in this legislature, after listening to the demands of the public, that the government team is prepared to revive this project and is seeking public funding from administrations such as the Provincial Council of Alicante (or Diputación). At the moment, it is left to the public participatory forums that are currently active to determine the most suitable use for these premises.