VAC-AN cannot be understood without its conversations. Our city has historically been a chessboard where ideas moved between cafés, plazas, and artists’ studios. At the center of this ecosystem of thought was José Vázquez Cereijo, a creator who understood that art was not a static object, but a living process nourished by dialectical exchange.
From the VAC-AN Foundation (Vázquez Cereijo–Anne Nikitic), our mission has always been clear: to preserve his visual art, but also to keep alive the flame of his intellectual curiosity. Today, that mission takes on a new digital dimension with the launch of our most ambitious project of this season: “VAC-AN Dialogues.”
José Vázquez Cereijo: The Spirit of an Enthusiast
Those who spent time with José will remember his innate ability to connect concepts. He was not just a painter or graphic artist; he was a critical observer of his surroundings. His passion for get togethers and conversations was not a distraction, but a vital necessity. For him, talking about the city was a way of shaping it.
That enthusiasm is what now shapes our Foundation. We do not want to be a silent museum; we want to be an active forum. That is why we have decided that the best way to honor his memory is to reclaim the spoken word as a tool for social construction. The podcast was born as a natural evolution of those get togethers, adapting them to the present times so that Cereijo’s legacy reaches the new generations in Lugo.
"VAC-AN Dialogues": A Window into the Lugo to Come
The podcast is not just a review of the artist’s career, but a deep analysis of our city’s identity. Under the motto “Immersing in Lugo,” each episode becomes a dive into the topics that truly matter to our community.
In this first series of Dialogues, we wanted to invite experts, creators, and thinkers to discuss fundamental themes:
- Urbanism and Heritage: How should Lugo grow without losing its historical essence? We examine the integration of the Roman Walls into modern life and the pedestrianization of our public spaces.
- The Primary Sector: The city’s connection with its rural surroundings, a pillar that José always kept in mind in his worldview.
- Infrastructure and Connectivity: We reflect on the logistical challenges Lugo must overcome to avoid being left behind on the European map.
- Culture and Innovation: What is the role of the artist in 21st-century Lugo? We seek answers in Cereijo’s work as applied to new visual languages.
An audience spanning generations.
One of the greatest challenges for the VAC-AN Foundation is to serve as a bridge. We want young creators in Lugo to find in Vázquez Cereijo an inspiration not only aesthetically, but ethically. His commitment to freedom of thought and his unconditional love for Galicia are values that today, more than ever, need to be celebrated.
His commitment to freedom of thought and his unconditional love for Galicia are values that today, more than ever, need to be celebrated. It is no longer necessary to be physically present in a gallery to join the conversation; now, any resident of Lugo can “immerse themselves” with us from anywhere in the world.
Culture as a Driver of Transformation
At the Foundation, we are convinced that culture is the engine that should drive the city’s development.
It is not an ornament; it is the foundation. Through these dialogues, we aim to create a sound and visual archive that can serve as a reference in the future—a snapshot of what we think and dream for Lugo at this historic moment.
Anne Nikitik, as a champion of this legacy, has always emphasized that José’s work is a “living organism.” With each episode, each debate sparked on social media, and each new perspective on his paintings, that organism grows.
Join the Conversation
This project belongs to everyone. We invite you to explore our digital channels, watch the recordings of the Dialogues, and above all, share your thoughts with us. How do you envision the Lugo of the future? Which aspects of Cereijo’s work inspire you the most?
The discussion remains open. The microphone is on. And José’s spirit, we are certain, would be delighted to hear us passionately debate the city he loved so much.
You can read the full article in La Voz de Galicia by clicking here.