The Ontinyent Textile Museum is set to open a new exhibition on Thursday that examines the contradictions of Spanish society during Franco's regime, using the bikini as a symbol of modernity. The exhibition, titled ‘Davall el sol del Règim: El biquini y la “modernidad” en la España franquista. Benidorm (1950-1970)’, investigates how tourism and the freedom associated with this swimwear coexisted with the moral and social control imposed by the dictatorship.
The inauguration will be attended by Ontinyent's mayor, Jorge Rodríguez; the vice president of the Valencia Provincial Council and delegate for Equality and Democratic Memory, Natàlia Enguix; and Albert Moncusí, the vice-rector for Culture, Sports, and Social Links at the University of Valencia.
This exhibition highlights the role of Benidorm in the tourism boom of the 1950s and 1960s, when the Franco regime used such destinations to project a modern and open image of Spain to the world. This image starkly contrasted with the restrictions and behavioural norms that continued to govern daily life, particularly regarding women's morality and freedom.
The exhibition features a collection of archival photographs, historical artefacts, film posters, magazines, and publications from the period, as well as works loaned by Equipo Límite. With this new initiative, the Ontinyent Textile Museum continues to expand its exhibition programme, following previous displays such as ‘Origen y Metamorfosis’ by local artist Dulk; ‘Pintar en frente de todo’, dedicated to Valencian artist Manuela Ballester; and ‘Tráfico de Modas (1980-1992). Arrebato, juego y familia’, which highlighted the contributions of the Mariscal brothers in the fashion and design renewal of the 1980s. Recently, the museum also showcased an exhibition on Democracia Estudio, reflecting on the ten-year creative journey of Marta and Javier Tortosa and the making of the poster for the 2026 Moors and Christians Festival.
