In Girona, there is a somber consensus regarding the declining vitality of the Rambla de la Llibertat. This area, once a hub for civic life, popular culture, commerce, and social gatherings, now evokes nostalgia for a more vibrant past. The article recalls the Residents' Association of Rambla and Argenteria (AVRA) and its events, as well as the dedication of the shopkeepers who contributed to its golden age.
The former Municipal Library, located on the Rambla since 1935, served as an educational center during challenging years. Its halls hosted a diverse range of exhibitions, from paintings by the Olot School to school projects and artistic presentations by emerging talents like Torres Monsó and Ernest Dalmau. It also witnessed the activism of the Democratic Association of Artists of Girona (ADAG).
Currently, one of the former library's rooms functions as a Tourist Office, while the other has been transformed into a sparsely attended contemporary art gallery. Promoters of contemporary art in Girona acknowledge the lack of a solid and dedicated audience for this space, deeming it a "harsh reality".
The article argues that any proposal for improving the Rambla de la Llibertat should begin with a renewed appreciation and valuation of the two rooms of the former library. Furthermore, it suggests the need to establish an Interpretation Center for the city of Girona, a project that is somewhat overdue.
