Today, here in Figueres, everyone is talking about it. Out on the street, at the market, even the
tourists are aware that this evening they are going to dig up Savador Dalí.
The Dalí Museum in Figueres, a former theater that was in
ruins, was completely rebuilt and designed by the artist to make his museum. When he died, he was buried under the floor in the great hall, covered by a huge
tombstone slab. This evening that slab
will be lifted, his remains will be exposed, and DNA samples will be
taken. This radical operation will be
done by court order in response to a suit filed by a woman who lives in
Figueres and who says that Salvador Dalí is her illegitimate father.
Pilar Abel has been saying this for 10 years and has gone
all the way in her legal battle to win this case. Today´s news report on the subject said there
were opinions on both sides of the debate and showed one shop owner who didn´t
think it was true.
But I think, why in the world would she battle so hard for
so many years and at such expense (she doesn´t seem to be particularly well
off) and subject herself to possible world-wide ridicule if she wasn't pretty certain it is true? So my money is on
Pilar.
Since Dalí left his properties and fortune to the Salvador Dalí
Foundation and the state, surely they are hoping she will lose her bet. If she wins, under Spanish law, she will
entitled to a quarter of his estate. This
should be interesting. Almost surreal.
Here's The Guardian's article for more:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/jul/20/salvador-dali-remains-exhumed-paternity-case
