The sustained and relentless development that Pilar de la Horadada is currently experiencing is nothing more than a reflection of the enterprising nature of the people who live there, progress that is still being forged by a succession of historical events.
But the growth and improvements that are being achieved in the town are neither because of chance or as a quirk of fate, it is progress that is being forged primarily because of the fight for independence by this small corner of the Mediterranean, an area that was abandoned for decades as a minor district of Orihuela.
Almost 30 km from the Orihuela seat of government, Pilar de la Horadada was disregarded. It was never considered as an area worthy of investment with the distant councilors paying little regard to its its economic and social needs. The locals paid disproportionate taxes and the improvements and maintenance to its infrastructures were kept to a minimum.
But after 5 decades of struggle, which first started in 1936, and which included riots, demonstrations, closures of the N332 and even the bricking up of the municipal office, the provincial and autonomous authorities finally approved a decree granting Pilar de la Horadada’s segregation on 30 July 1986.
Every year since then, on the date that was immediately declared as a public holiday, the townsfolk celebrate their creation and their segregation, although at the ceremony held last week at la Casa de Cultura, the current mayor, Jose Fidel Ros, said that it felt like a very long time ago,
“But now we have our history, our geographical environment and our very own defined identity, which after 26 fruitful years, gets ever stronger as time goes by.”
During the event, the mayor paid tribute to the farmers of the town who he said were the cornerstone of the economy of the municipality, with the evolution of Pilar de la Horadada irretrievably linked to it’s agricultural development.
Among the attendees, the Vice President of the Council of Alicante, D. César Asencio, welcomed and congratulate the first residents of the municipality, while the Councillor for Culture, Benjamín Fraile, took the opportunity to share with the audience the important work by his Department many different companies that had forged external collaborations with the townsfolk of Pilar de la Horadada.
During the event he made mention of a new publication issued by the Cultural Department entitled “Agricultura: un tesoro pilareño”. "Agriculture: A Pilareño treasure." The author, director of the Casa de Cultura, Maria Garcia, thanked all those people who shared their memories and photographs with her which had enabled the publication of this new book
The day was also used to inaugurate the sculpture “La Segregación Pilareña” (The Segregation of Pilar), a work acquired by the City in 2011 which was donated by sculptor Ribera Girona, who, for his contribution, was presented with a golden shield of Pilar de la Horadada by the mayor José Fidel Ros.
Mayor Fidel Ros said that the town will continue to grow by taking "courageous decisions in difficult times", and through the efforts of the government team all pilareños will soon be able to enjoy a reduction in some taxes such as IBI and capital gains.
He also pointed out the continued improvement in the education of our children, a new classroom block at the Institute, additional school transport, and additional study rooms while at the same time continuing to support local charities “because we are united with the people who are most in need.”
The event was also used to present various awards and prizes organized by the Department of Culture. One such presentation was to the winner of the III graffiti contest held on 13 July at la Rambla de la playa Los Jesuitas, in Torre de la Horadada. The first prize of 400 euros was awarded to Abel Hernandez and Rosa Arenas, while the € 100 second prize went to Fernando César.
Prizes were also awarded for the III outdoor painting competition, in collaboration with the Director of Caja Rural, Pedro Martínez Zapata. Of the 9 artists who participated, and whose works can be seen at the exhibition hall in the Casa de Cultura, the second prize of 300 € was made to Francisco Carpena Muñoz, while Alberto Márquez Ruiz won the first prize 600 € .
Finally the results of the jury’s III Municipality of Pilar de la Horadada Sonnets Contest, in which 26 poets presented 36 sonnets, were announced.
M ª Pilar Marqués Celma, entry entitled: "Torre del Conde" received the third prize, while "Pilar de la Horadada, Land of Light," by Silvia Lemus took second prize with Manuel Terrín Benavides: "Stamp from the Pico Alcores" won the first prize. All of the sonnets will be published in a book later in the year.
Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/44462/
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