The Kings in ARCO: their visit to the RTVE stand and that ovation for “Juana, Juana!”

ARCOmadrid is already here. The Kings have presided over the inauguration of the 43rd edition of the fair, which this year brings together 205 galleries from 38 countries. The Caribbean and the ocean are the focus of this contest with a marked presence of Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. It was this Wednesday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m.

The press are waiting in pavilion 9. The monarch and his wife have been received by the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasuna smiling José Luis Martínez-Almeidamayor of Madrid, and the director of the fair, Maribel Lopez. The official tour has begun at the stand of RTVE. Elena Sanchez and the artists Valero Rioja y Pedro Joao They have greeted Their Majesties. They have also visited the RNE studio installed at the stand.

The Queen has had a talk with Valero Rioja. Letizia wanted the starting point of her visit to Ifema to be her house where she worked as a journalist 20 years ago. As in previous events, we have seen stops in the galleries of The world y ABC. It is because of Doña Letizia’s special connection with her former profession.

Race goes, race comes, we have followed the coverage accompanied by hundreds of cell phones. Professionals and visitors were recording the route. Among the names that always sound in ARCOmadrid, Helga de Alvear, an important German gallery owner based in Spain whom the Kings know very well. Her stand, the busiest, was a mandatory stop. She has also heard loudly the name of Juana de Aizpuru, founder of this event and friend of Her Majesty for many years. It was the first time that the fair opened its doors without the gallery of Aizpuru, 90 years old, a retired collecting pioneer. And since she could not miss this event, she attended as a guest and the Kings presented her with the honorary book. Great applause and a standing ovation was heard: “Juana, Juana!”

The most talked-about works of this edition, a Miró from 1927 worth more than three million euros, exhibited by Leandro Navarro; and a Picasso, 2.5 million. The work of the Malaga master can be seen in the Guillermo de Osma gallery. Also a sculpture by Chillida (1.2 million), whose centenary of her birth is celebrated this year. Mayoral exhibits the piece by the Basque sculptor.

ARCOmadrid, with more than 40 editions, has established itself as a reference in the international art scene for both veteran and new creators, who find visibility here and the stage to grow.