The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida, has expressed his concern over the lack of response from the Government regarding the eviction of Casa Árabe. Almeida fears that a legal process may begin if action is not taken before September 1.
The situation surrounding Casa Árabe in the Escuelas Aguirre is complicated following statements from the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida. At a press conference held this Monday, Almeida confirmed that they have yet to receive any communication from the central Government regarding the eviction scheduled for September 1. The Mayor expressed his desire to avoid a scenario where Casa Árabe acts as a 'squatter', which could lead the City Council to initiate legal actions to recover the property.
Almeida emphasised that the decision to evict Casa Árabe is not due to a lack of appreciation for its activities, but rather the need to manage municipal resources properly. "Our intention is to continue being part of the board and collaborate in the search for a new headquarters," the Mayor stated, also highlighting that the management carried out by former director Irene Lozano had led to significant breaches of the agreed terms for the use of the building.
The Mayor did not hold back in his criticism of Lozano, stating that she had turned Casa Árabe into a 'beach bar'. This statement reflects a deep disagreement with how activities within the property have been managed. The controversy has generated reactions among citizens; more than 9,800 people have signed a petition on change.org requesting the City Council to revoke its decision and allow the cultural and social activities offered by Casa Árabe to continue.
The citizen initiative argues that the eviction is unjustified and is a product of internal political disputes. Additionally, half a thousand professionals linked to the Arab world have submitted another formal request asking for the eviction to be revoked, thus demonstrating broad social support for this cultural institution.
In this context, Almeida reaffirmed his commitment to recovering the building for public use: "We firmly believe that it is our responsibility as a City Council to ensure that these spaces are accessible to all Madrileños." However, time is running out, and if there are no developments before the established deadline, a legal conflict could arise between the City Council and Casa Árabe.
The coming days will be crucial in determining the immediate future of the property and the cultural activities associated with it. Interested parties can follow updates on this issue through the official channels of the City Council or participate in active citizen initiatives.
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