Alicante honours Europeanist 'Cura Cantó' by naming a roundabout in Vistahermosa Norte after him

The Alicante City Council has honoured the renowned Europeanist Juan Cantó by naming the roundabout that provides access to the Vistahermosa Norte residential area after him. The mayor and the Municipal Corporation, along with the family, unveiled the commemorative plaque on Thursday, which will adorn this space in the city's street map. This tribute highlights the work of the former parish priest of the Provincial Hospital and the Parish of the Vista Hermosa Complex, as well as his career as a dedicated Europeanist and promoter of the 'European Diplomatic Forum' based in Alicante. He was also a key figure in the creation of the Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA) and the donation of works by the most internationally renowned Alicante sculptor and painter, Eusebio Sempere.

The mayor, Luis Barcala, emphasised that 'Alicante is repaying a debt of gratitude to Juan Cantó Rubio by naming this roundabout, so requested by many residents, Alicante citizens, and diplomats, as it is deserved by the man himself. Juan Cantó was a priest who not only dedicated his life to others but is one of those figures who must be known, as he contributed with his erudition and education, his teaching and academic work, as well as his diplomatic efforts, being an ambassador of the city worldwide and creator of the European Diplomatic Forum in Alicante.'

'In my participation in international forums through my roles in the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, I often encounter diplomats who continue to inquire about Cura Cantó, as an intellectual reference in the Europeanist field during Spain's accession to the European Union and in subsequent years. He was a multifaceted and unique individual, a driving force behind MACA and the arrival of Eusebio Sempere's work,' the mayor highlighted.

Juan Cantó Rubio, (Melilla 1924-2021), served as chaplain from 1952 at the Provincial Hospital of Alicante, parish priest of the María Madre de la Iglesia Parish located in the Vistahermosa Complex, a person with exceptional qualities that accompanied him throughout his priestly life, closely linked to Alicante and involved with the Alicante society. His Europeanist spirit allowed him to participate in the creation of the 'European Diplomatic Forum' based in Alicante. He was responsible for choosing Alicante as the city to house the legacy of our most universal sculptor and painter, Eusebio Sempere, and a key figure in the creation of MACA (Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art).

Doctor in Philosophy and Letters from the University of Valencia and Doctor in Theology from the Pontifical University of Comillas, research professor in the Department of Art History at the University of Valencia. Professor at the Complutense University of Madrid, the Pontifical University of Salamanca, honorary professor in the Department of Art History at the University of Alicante, he was an academic of the Tiberina of Rome, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Carlos of Valencia, and the Academy of Humanistic Sciences and Relations of the United States of Mexico. He received the Golden Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland and was named an Adoptive Son of the municipality of Albatera, where a street bears his name.

Cantó wrote numerous articles and books, including 'Understanding the European Union, effortlessly' and 'New Diplomacy for the European Union', having been a contributor to Diario Información, La Verdad, and Faro de Melilla.

Juan Cantó distinguished himself as a staunch advocate of European integration, writing articles and giving lectures across municipalities in Spain many years before our accession to the Union. Founder of the European Diplomatic Forum, an organisation that includes hundreds of EU diplomats and is headquartered in Alicante thanks to the efforts of Mr. Juan Cantó. He was a professor at the Diplomatic School of Madrid, founder of the House of European History in Alicante, and president of the city's young diplomats.

He was also a constant collaborator with the European Documentation Centre located at the Alicante Chamber of Commerce. A great art enthusiast, he cultivated a friendship with Eusebio Sempere, a universal painter and sculptor, whom he convinced to leave his legacy in Alicante, specifically in the Museum of Contemporary Art.