Dr. Javier López-Galiacho
Javier López-Galiacho, Associate Professor of Civil Law at the Rey Juan Carlos University, Director of Compliance and Sustainability at Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (FCC), President of the Association of Friends of Spain’s Historic Theatres and of the Foro Mazzantini, and Full Member of the Royal European Academy of Doctors (READ), reflects in the newspaper “La Tribuna de Albacete” on his professional and personal journey, highlighting his ability to adapt to different fields and his versatility across multiple disciplines. “I have always been an explorer of different paths, and that has enriched me,” states the academic, referring to his experiences in the artistic world, where he has explored various forms of expression—from music to the visual arts—allowing him to develop a unique perspective. The feature has also been published in other newspapers of the same media group, such as “La Tribuna de Cuenca” and “La Tribuna de Talavera.”
The driving force behind the restoration of the Teatro Circo in his native Albacete, López-Galiacho recalls, in conversation with journalist Javier del Castillo, what he considers a key episode for the city’s cultural life and, by extension, for the entire region of Castilla-La Mancha. “The recovery of the Teatro Circo would be impossible today. In the late 1990s, Albacete had five print newspapers, including ‘La Tribuna,’ ‘La Voz de Albacete’ and ‘El Día.’ Politicians were also different then. The mayor, Manuel Pérez Castell, and José Bono, then President of the Regional Government, unlocked a restoration project that had been stalled at the Ministry of Public Works, then headed by Francisco Álvarez-Cascos,” he recalls. In this same venue, the academic recently premiered the stage adaptation of his latest novel, “The Reader of Galdós,” written in tribute to his great-grandfather José López Alonso and starring Manuel Galiana.
Through anecdotes and personal reflections, the academic shares his experiences regarding success and failure, emphasizing that both are part of the process of personal growth. “Failure is not the end, but a lesson that brings us closer to success,” he affirms, underscoring his optimistic philosophy. In this regard, he also addresses the importance of human connection and how interpersonal relationships have influenced his development. “Surrounding oneself with people who inspire and motivate is essential,” he notes, highlighting the value of genuine bonds.
The article ultimately portrays a person who has navigated multiple facets of life while maintaining integrity and consistently seeking happiness along the way. His reflective outlook invites readers to appreciate the richness of being multifaceted and to value the experiences that shape one’s life. The academic also discusses his passion for bullfighting and his activism in its defense, which has earned him a commemorative plaque at Las Ventas and even a pasodoble dedicated to him. He concludes by expressing his devotion to his hometown: “When I need to refill my tank of ‘Albacete-ness,’ I go to the park where the statue of Azorín stands. In his column in ‘ABC,’ he once wrote: ‘People of Albacete, you possess the highest form of humility, for being everything, you believe yourselves to be nothing.’ He also left us two expressions: ‘Albacete, the New York of La Mancha’ and the slogan ‘Albacete, always.’ The best thing about Albacete is its people: straightforward, noble, and simple.”
López-Galiacho has served as Director of the San Pablo College Residence in Madrid and as Secretary General and Head of the Law Division of the Cisneros Foundation at the Complutense University of Madrid. He was also Director of the Official Master’s Degree in Access to the Legal Profession at the Faculty of Law of the CEU San Pablo University, an institution where he also served as a trustee. He maintains a longstanding commitment to culture and, in addition to being a researcher, writer, and columnist in various media outlets, he is the author of several books and numerous research works in the fields of civil law, corporate governance, foundations, and business sustainability and ethics. On 31 May, he was named Distinguished Son of Castilla-La Mancha by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha in recognition of his outstanding academic and business career and his firm commitment to culture and heritage, notably his initiative to preserve the Teatro Circo of Albacete, an emblematic performing arts venue.
