Marbella to Commemorate 60th Anniversary of Jean Cocteau’s Death
The Director General of Culture in Marbella, Carmen Díaz, announced this morning that the city will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the death of Jean Cocteau. The commemoration will take place from September 27 to October 11 with a series of events dedicated to the French artist, who had a brief but intense relationship with the city. The city council is organizing this tribute to the creator who visited the town twice in the 1960s and expressed a desire to live there.
Initiative to Highlight Cocteau’s Contributions
Carmen Díaz, the Director General of Culture, presented the initiative today, which aims to highlight the figure of the writer, painter, and film director. Cocteau also has a dedicated space in the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving, thanks to the legacy of Pepe Carleton.
Program of Events
The program will kick off on September 27 at the aforementioned museum with a conference titled ‘Cocteau in Marbella’, led by cultural expert Germán Borrachero. The following day, a dramatic reading of ‘The Human Voice’ will take place, performed by Inma Lafuente and directed by Jesús Ortiz. On October 4, a talk titled ‘Oedipus and Cocteau’ will be held at the Hospital Real de la Misericordia, led by poet Luis Alberto de Cuenca.
Documentary Screening and Closing Events
On October 9, the documentary ‘My Last Sentence’ by Juan Mata will be screened at the Río Verde Institute. The documentary tells the story of renowned fashion designer Ana de Pombo, who hosted Cocteau in the city. The series will conclude with two events. The first, on October 7, will feature the screening of Cocteau’s film ‘The Two-Headed Eagle’ at the Museum of Engraving. The final event on October 11 will be a discussion between playwright Fernando Arrabal and writer Fernando Castro Flórez about Cocteau’s legacy, held at the Hospital Real de la Misericordia.
Cocteau’s Connection to Marbella
Jean Cocteau passed away on October 11, 1963, the same day that, 60 years later, this commemorative series in Marbella will conclude. The French artist had a connection to Spain since 1953 and discovered Marbella in 1961. He visited the city twice and expressed his intention to settle there. During his first stay from April 15 to May 29, 1961, he created three panels for the ‘La Maroma’ shop, which his friend Ana Pombo opened during that time. During his second visit, he completed two of his literary works: ‘Requiem’ and ‘The Umbilical Cord’. A month before his death on October 11, 1963, Jean Cocteau asked Ana Pombo to buy him a plot of land to build a house. She fulfilled his request in an area called Nagüeles, naming the house ‘The Olive Grove’ in memory of her friend. This would be Ana Pombo’s last residence in Marbella.
