article_detail

A historic mural at the Monastery of San Salvador in Celanova, Ourense, has been damaged during a Netflix series shoot, sparking anger from locals who see it as a direct hit to their heritage. The graffiti, painted in 1933 by members of the Galicianist Youth Movement including Celso Emilio Ferreiro and Pepe Velo, marked the launch of the 'Adiante Semanario' publication nearly a century ago.

 

On Friday March 6, in the morning around eight o'clock, a neighbour spotted the film crew wiping away part of the mural with a cloth and liquid. They targeted the word "Semanario", which locals say they didn´t like for their shot. "Apparently, they disliked it as a background for a scene," the Historical Memory Committee of Celanova explained on social media that day.

 

A quick-thinking resident stepped in, raising his voice to get the crew's attention when they initially blocked him. He managed to convince those in charge to halt the work.

 

The Committee, which has long called for better safeguards for the graffiti, labelled it an "attack against historical heritage". They point to years of institutional neglect and now demand the ayuntamiento and Regional Ministry of Culture step up, making those responsible pay for restoration.

 

Mayor Antonio Puga was quick to respond, issuing a statement that afternoon with his "strong condemnation" of the "damage caused" to this "symbol, which forms part of our memory and intangible heritage". The ayuntamiento promised to push for "urgent intervention" from the culprits.

 

For residents in Celanova, this mural is more than paint on a wall. It stands as a vivid reminder of 20th-century Galician regionalism, right on the monastery's facade.

 

While Netflix has not commented yet, the story highlights the fine line between filming in historic spots and respecting them. Locals hope for a swift fix to bring back their piece of history. In places like Ourense, these small but meaningful sites keep the past alive for everyone.

 

 

Images: Celanova na Memoria/Facebook