The Government of Castilla-La Mancha has expressed its condolences to the family and friends of the former Minister of Culture and former director of the National Archaeological Museum, Rubí Sanz, who passed away this Friday after a long illness.
The Minister of Education, Culture, and Sports, Amador Pastor, through his social networks, highlighted that this is a sad day for the Culture of Castilla-La Mancha, as «we lose one of the most relevant figures in its management, enhancement, and recognition from the late 20th and early 21st centuries,» as reported by the Junta in a press release.
Graduated in Art History from the Complutense University of Madrid (1974) and Ph.D. in History from the University of Alicante (1996), she joined the Body of Museum Conservators in 1986. Between 1983 and 2004, she was the director of the Albacete Museum and Minister of Culture of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha between 1999 and 2000.
Subsequently, she was appointed director of the National Archaeological Museum (MAN), a stage in which the works for the last renovation of the building began, as well as the design and drafting of the Plan and the Museographic Project and the exhibition ‘Treasures of the National Archaeological Museum.’
At the end of her period at the MAN, she returned to the direction of the Albacete Museum where she ended her professional career by curating the successful exhibition on the Iberian world ‘150 years with the Iberians.’
As a museologist and archaeologist, she has been part of doctoral thesis juries and oppositions to the Body of Museum Conservators, as well as a lecturer at UCLM and UNED. She participated in numerous archaeological excavations, highlighting, among others, the one at Tolmo de Minateda (Hellín), being part of the scientific direction of the Research project and the launch of the Archaeological Park.
She has also participated in important cycles of conferences, congresses, and scientific seminars on Archaeology, Art, Museums, and Cultural Heritage.
Corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute, the Royal Academy of History, and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, she was the founder of the Albacete Studies Institute, a founding member of the Academy of Social Sciences and Humanities of Castilla-La Mancha, and a member of the Regional Council of Cultural Heritage of Castilla-La Mancha.
In addition, she was part of important cultural institutions such as the Board of the Lázaro Galdiano Foundation, the Board of Altamira or the Alhambra, among others. She was also part of the Board of Qualification, Valuation, and Export of the Ministry of Culture, as well as the Superior Board of Museums or the ICOM.
On July 21, 2022, the Deputy Ministry of Culture and Sports awarded her the Extraordinary Cultural Merit Medal of Castilla-La Mancha for her great work in the cultural transformation of the city of Albacete, as well as for her outstanding struggle and tenacity in defending the social value and public service of cultural heritage and museums.
On the other hand, the Royal Association of Our Lady of Los Llanos has deeply regretted the death of Sanz, «an undisputed reference in the culture and heritage of our land,» as reported by the association in a press release.
They highlight that Rubí Sanz «developed a brilliant professional career at the helm of the Albacete Museum and the National Archaeological Museum» and has been «a key figure in the conservation, dissemination, and dignification of the archaeological and historical legacy of Albacete and Castilla-La Mancha.»
The Royal Association also wishes to express, in addition to their «grief» for this loss, their «most sincere gratitude» for «the generous involvement and expert advice that Rubí Sanz offered from the very beginning to the project of the Interpretation Center Virgen de Los Llanos (Civilla).»
«Her recommendations, her museological vision, and her selfless support laid the foundations of this initiative so dear to our institution. At a time when we celebrate 150 years of history as an Association, we also want to honor the memory of those who believed in the importance of preserving, studying, and sharing the spiritual, artistic, and cultural heritage of Albacete. Our deepest condolences to her family, colleagues, and friends,» they concluded.