The Consortium of Teatre Fortuny, comprising the City Council of Reus, the Diputación de Tarragona, and the Círcol society (the facility's owner), has announced a preliminary agreement to initiate the second significant renovation of the theatre, which marks its 144th anniversary this year.
The legal framework agreed upon involves the establishment of a surface right, enabling the Consortium to act and invest in the facility while ensuring that ownership remains with Círcol. Specific details of the agreement are yet to be finalised and will require validation from the relevant authorities of both parties.
Both the Consortium and Círcol have expressed their commitment to Teatre Fortuny as a cultural landmark of the city, emphasising the need for collective effort to transform it into a 21st-century facility. The Consortium has consistently prioritised the safety of this cultural asset and has been in discussions with other administrations to explore funding opportunities, similar to those available for other comparable facilities in the region and Catalonia. These discussions are set to resume in the coming weeks following the finalisation of the preliminary agreement with the property owner.
The Consortium of Teatre Fortuny is dedicated to supporting cultural activities and ensuring the theatre's operations continue, thereby preserving the rich cultural offerings that define the city. To this end, it will assist programmers, musical groups, and theatre companies in finding alternative venues to continue their activities within the city.
Teatre Fortuny was inaugurated on 16 November 1882. Its only major renovation occurred in the 1980s, following the establishment of the Consortium in 1981, which included the Generalitat of Catalonia, the Diputación de Tarragona, and the City Council of Reus. This consortium oversaw the restoration, renovation, and operation of the theatre under an agreement with the Sociedad El Circol. The theatre reopened its doors on 15 November 1988, and in 2013, shortly after being declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest (BCIN), the Generalitat withdrew from the Consortium.
