The Basques want a temporary move of Picasso's Guernica, Madrid remains silent for now

Madrid/Bilbao – Basque politicians are demanding that Pablo Picasso's painting Guernica be temporarily moved to Bilbao. This is to occur partly due to the anniversary of the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica, which inspired the famous cubist work, Spanish media reports. The government in Madrid has not yet responded to the request, but the Reina Sofía Museum, where the work is located, is opposing the move due to concerns about potential damage to the painting.

The request for the temporary relocation of the painting was expressed by the lehendakari, or head of the Basque government, Imanol Pradales, during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez last week. According to him, the painting could be exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao from this October until July 2027. This move would coincide with two significant anniversaries: the establishment of the first autonomous Basque government and the bombing of Guernica by Nazi and fascist forces in 1937. Today, he was supported in this by the mayor of the Basque town José María Gorroño, who stated that lending the painting would be a tribute to the victims of the bombing.

Madrid has yet to clearly respond to the request from Basque politicians, although in the past it has not allowed the transfer of the large canvas. However, experts from the Reina Sofía Museum clearly recommended against any transport of the painting in their report. According to them, the work is "maintained in stable conditions thanks to strict environmental control." They also noted that the painting is exceptionally sensitive to all kinds of vibrations, which are inevitable during transport.

The relationship between the Basque Country and the central government in Madrid has been complicated for many decades, although political parties demanding the region's independence are currently in the minority in the Basque parliament.