The Ministry of Democratic Memory has urged the removal of the sculptural ensemble by Juan de Ávalos on Anaga Avenue. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is considering a third option: to preserve it for educational purposes.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is weighing an alternative to the demolition of the sculptural ensemble by Juan de Ávalos on Anaga Avenue. The proposal, which is not yet official, suggests transforming the space into a centre for historical interpretation and democratic memory. This idea arises after the ultimatum from the Ministry of Democratic Memory, which demands its definitive removal.
A third way against the wrecking ball
The option of reinterpretation, according to municipal sources, aims to avoid the destruction of a work that they consider part of the 20th-century artistic heritage in the Canary Islands. Instead of demolition, a museological approach is proposed that contextualises the monument within the history of the Franco dictatorship. The goal is for the space to transition from being a symbol of Victory to a monument of Concord and Freedom.
The debate has generated political division in the city. While some advocate for immediate removal, others argue for critical preservation. The City Council, governed by a coalition, seeks a consensus that avoids confrontation. The final decision could set a precedent in the management of controversial symbols in Spain.
Critical pedagogy: the model from other countries
The proposal is inspired by international examples such as the Topography of Terror in Berlin or Memento Park in Budapest. In both cases, totalitarian remnants were not eliminated but transformed into educational tools. According to proponents of this approach, the Ávalos monument could house explanatory panels, documentation about Francoist repression, and a tribute to the victims.
“It is not about maintaining a Francoist symbol, but giving it a new democratic meaning,” sources from the City Council's Culture department state.
The artistic value of the work, one of the largest civil sculptures of the 20th century in the islands, also weighs in the decision. For many experts, denying its technical and aesthetic relevance would be a cultural mistake. The piece has been part of Santa Cruz's visual memory for over sixty years.
Local impact: what would change for residents?
If the reinterpretation is approved, residents of Anaga Avenue would see a transformed space that currently generates controversy. The monument, now fenced off and unused, could become a cultural and tourist meeting point. The installation of an interpretation centre with visiting hours, school activities, and guided tours is being considered.
The project could also generate local employment and attract quality cultural tourism, similar to that which already exists in other parts of the island. For residents, it would mean transitioning from a divisive symbol to an educational and recreational resource. The City Council plans to open a citizen participation process to gather opinions before making a final decision.
The Cuelgamuros paradox
As the debate progresses in Santa Cruz, contradictory signals are coming from the central government. The winning project for the Cuelgamuros Valley, also by Ávalos, advocates for reinterpretation through contemporary architecture. This contrast has been pointed out by supporters of critical preservation in Tenerife.
“If the criterion is valid for the Valley of the Fallen, why not apply it here?” municipal government team members ask.
The final decision will need to balance the legal demands of the Ministry, the sensitivity of the victims of Francoism, and the cultural interests of the city. The deadline for presenting a concrete proposal ends in the coming months. Meanwhile, the monument remains standing, awaiting a fate that will shape the future of historical memory in the Canary Islands.
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