Official Recognition for Sarrià Artist
The Government of the Generalitat de Catalunya has approved the designation of 2027 as the Emília Xargay Year, an official commemoration coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Emília Xargay i Pagès (1927–2002), the painter, sculptor and ceramist from Sarrià de Ter. The decision forms part of the Generalitat’s official programme of commemorations for 2027, aimed at recovering, promoting and valuing figures who have made a significant contribution to Catalonia’s cultural heritage. The initiative originated from a proposal by the Ajuntament de Sarrià de Ter, which compiled a detailed dossier highlighting Xargay’s artistic trajectory, the importance of her legacy, and the significance of her centenary as an opportunity to reaffirm her place among the most important Catalan artists of the second half of the 20th century.
A Legacy Preserved Locally
The local council has named a key public facility after the artist: the Biblioteca Emília Xargay, a municipal library inaugurated on 12 December 2010. The library continues the cultural work begun by the town’s original municipal library in 1955 and is managed by the Ajuntament de Sarrià de Ter with support from the Generalitat’s Subdirecció General de Biblioteques and the Diputació de Girona. The library houses over 13,000 items across various formats and recorded more than 22,600 loans and 27,700 visits in 2022. It was selected for a pilot project by the Diputació de Girona to install anti-theft alarms on library books, due to its high loan figures.
Collaborative Cultural Push
The recognition follows years of cultural advocacy led by local institutions and the Associació d'Amics de la UNESCO de Girona, which has worked for over a decade to preserve and promote Xargay’s legacy. The group co-founded the Xarxa Xargay, a cooperation network between municipalities that host Xargay’s public artworks, to coordinate conservation and educational efforts. Another key initiative, Apadrinem Escultures, encourages civic and local entity involvement in maintaining public sculptures by Xargay, ensuring her work remains visible and valued.
Year-Long Cultural Programme Planned
The Emília Xargay Year 2027 will feature a decentralised cultural programme across Catalonia, including exhibitions, lectures, educational activities, cultural routes, and publications. The campaign will also highlight the role of women in contemporary art history and reinforce the cultural identity embodied in Xargay’s work. Isaac Ramió, mayor of Sarrià de Ter, said: "The declaration of the Emília Xargay Year is a well-deserved recognition for an exceptional artist who always maintained a strong connection with her hometown. It also honours the collective effort of individuals, institutions and associations who have worked for years to ensure her legacy takes its rightful place in Catalan culture." The council will continue coordinating with the Generalitat, the Associació d'Amics de la UNESCO de Girona, Xarxa Xargay municipalities, and other partners to ensure the 2027 commemoration is participatory, rigorous and nationally significant.
Primary sources: eb2.girona.cat, girona.cat, patrimonifestiu.cultura.gencat.cat, patrimonifestiu.cultura.gencat.cat, LLIBRESGENCAT, agenda.cultura.gencat.cat, patrimonifestiu.cultura.gencat.cat, govern.cat. Reported by radiosarriaeditor, bonart.cat, eldimoni.com, Sarrià de Ter | Tapi Carreras, premsadigitalitzada.bnc.cat, Diari de Girona.
