Carmen Alborch was a professor at the Department of Commercial Law "Manuel Broseta Pont" and the first woman dean of the Faculty of Law. Yesterday, the news of her death hit the university community and above all the Faculty of Law.
In the Faculty of Law, Carmen Alborch articulated a solid team of people who, as regards their figure as a dean, promoted a real revolution in the management of one of the founding faculties of the University of Valencia.
The current dean, Javier Palao, stressed yesterday that with Carmen Alborch as a dean "the teaching of law began in Valencia, student associations charged new forces and a great dean team renewed structures and, above all, ideas”.
Professor Jesús Olavarría, who was Secretary of the Faculty with Carmen Alborch as a Dean, remembers the profound change in the Faculty, “both in the field of teaching staff, teaching and cultural avant-garde, when choosing for the first time a woman dean who came from the fight against the Franco regime in favour of equality and feminism. Professor Javier de Lucas, who was vice-dean with Carmen Alborch, emphasizes "her daring to mobilize a restless group of people to raise an alternative in the 1984 Law School."
The current Secretary General of the University and former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Mª Elena Olmos, who was a student of Carmen Alborch, evoked her “pioneering and innovative classes, where dialogue and participation were encouraged”.
Carmen Alborch accompanied the University of Valencia in practically all the solemn and academic acts that gathered at the Auditorium, located in the historic building of the street of La Nau. She received there the Medal of the University from the hands of the then rector, Esteban Morcillo, who has been very affected by the premature death of a woman who was not only a symbolic but also an emotional reference. "A reference of culture and freedom," said the current director, Mª Vicenta Mestre.
Isabel Morant, who was also awarded the Medal of the University, stressed that she will remember Carmen Alborch as she knew “in the seventies, when the feminist movement was being formed in the city of Valencia, an emerging and brave feminism led by a group of women where Carmen was very present”. Amongst them was Charo Álvarez, director of the University Information and Promotion Service (SeDi), who, in addition to friendship, shared with Carmen Alborch concerns and the struggle for feminism, and recalls that it was “a privilege to be with Carmen”.
The rector of the University of Valencia, Mª Vicenta Mestre, stressed yesterday the value of her "social commitment, her struggle for democracy, freedom, feminism and equality". She was recalling the proposal of Carmen Alborch the last 9 October when upon receiving the High Distinction of the Generalitat Valenciana, she indicated the consideration of proclaiming the feminist movement as a World Heritage.
Yesterday, her colleagues of the Faculty and the University as a whole, remembered her contagious joy and enthusiasm. The current Dean of the Faculty of Law recalled that Carmen “was not affected by the limitations of earlier periods and, of course, even less so by gender”. Professor Olavarría highlights her capacity to forge teams "from the sectarianism and from independence", and Secretary General Mª Elena Olmos highlights her character, “restless, free, critical, pioneering and avant-garde, defending freedom and truth versus manipulation, committed, cultivating friendship and empowering”.
Previous rector Esteban Morcillo also evoked today that “Carmen was a woman with a bright smile” and Professor Olavarría defined her as “full of hope until the end”. A woman “who was joyful without superficiality or denial of reality for the struggle for a better society”, emphasizes Professor De Lucas. Mª Vicenta Mestre, rector, emphasized yesterday that she "projected illusion and passion".
The acts of recognition have been extended not only to the University but to the whole of society. “Carmen would be very happy about the recognition and affection that people have shown these days”, said Charo Álvarez.
Upon learning about her passing, the University of Valencia's rector, echoing the deep feeling of sorrow that broke the academic institution, communicated to the family the possibility of hosting the last farewell to Carmen Alborch at the University Paraninfo. By decision of the family this ceremony will take place private, having agreed with the University that soon there will be an act of memory and recognition to this exceptional woman.
This morning, the rector of the University, the general secretary, the dean of the Faculty of Law, as well as many members of the university community, have moved to the municipal court to give a final farewell and to give their condolences to her family.
“Carmen Alborch is an example for everyone and she will continue to be because, although we will miss her and her smile, she will always be present to us”, said Mª Vicenta Mestre, director of the University of Valencia.
More information:
News of institutional condolence published in UVNews: http://links.uv.es/w42qgBf
You can access the information about the concession of the Medal of the University of Valencia to Carmen Alborch following this link: http://links.uv.es/BtvJ3iM
You can enjoy the retransmission of the Academic Act for the Medal Delivery of the University of Valencia to Carmen Alborch through MediaUni: http://links.uv.es/SoG5Hd5
The death of Carmen Alborch in the media:
Levante-EMV: https://www.levante-emv.com/comunidad-valenciana/2018/10/24/muere-carmen-alborch--adios/1785519.html
Las Provincias: https://www.lasprovincias.es/politica/carmen-alborch-20181024151627-nt.html
El País: https://elpais.com/politica/2018/10/24/actualidad/1540387288_783094.html
El Mundo: https://www.elmundo.es/cultura/2018/10/24/5bd074be22601dcb2e8b4605.html
Valencia Plaza: https: /valenciaplaza.com/carmen-alborch-muerte-reacciones-tanatorio
Cadena SER: http://cadenaser.com/emisora/2018/10/24/radio_valencia/1540387081_869693.html
À Punt: https://apuntmedia.es/va/noticies/politica/carmen-alborch-sera-soterrada-aquesta-vesprada
RTVE: http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20181024/muere-exministra-cultura-carmen-alborch/1825808.shtml
