IN STEREO

In ‘97, they tried to improve the urban image of Quijarro Street. The Spanish Cooperation Agency gave financing for that improvement, because the municipality cannot intervene in individuals’ façades. Since that year, about three or five houses have repainted their façades. The rest, no. When they were asked: “It is that they have used special colours.” Because they did studies and made the original colour, people said, “I don’t know how they prepared the paint. If I paint now, the city hall may come and fine me because I altered the colour.”

The same people say, “That’s the city hall’s duty.” So they want the mayor to paint the façades once again. [But the city hall] says that the façades are not owned by them, [that] they are owned by the municipality. But the municipality cannot paint them because they do not belong to them! We have to talk to everyone, to understand and transmit [information]. I believe that if people understand the heritage, many people will regret destroying their heritage. They will regret it. – Jimena