Friday, February 16, 2024, 15:56
Monday 11th February marks the 50th anniversary of the official opening of the Spanish Cultural Center in Dublin. The person behind the idea was José Antonio Sierra, a graduate of Philosophy and Arts, Journalism and Social Psychology, who at the time was working as a Spanish teacher at the city’s prestigious Trinity College. Jose Antonio previously worked in Lyon (France), Brighton and the Isle of Wight.
Ahead of the anniversary, José Antonio, now 87 and living in Malaga, gave an interview in English to SUR, explaining that he arrived in Ireland in September 1968. Write about the importance of the Spanish language in Ireland and the impact that the Irish School in Spain had on the historical relationship between the two countries. ”
He added: “Spanish language newspapers are only sold in supermarkets in central Dublin, Spanish language teaching books are not published by Spanish publishers, and students lack knowledge of Spain.” I quickly realized that there were very few.”
So, with the support of both the Spanish and Irish governments, his idea was born to create a reference point for the cultures of both countries in Dublin.
A formal invitation was sent by the then Spanish Ambassador to Ireland and the Institute of Spanish Culture, Dublin was established on 11 February 1974 at 58 Northumberland Street.
official statement
The ceremony was presided over by Richard Burke, then Irish Education Minister, who spoke in English, Irish and Spanish. In his speech, Mr. Burke called Spain “a distant haven of hope for the Irish, oppressed in the past.”
An official statement from the Department of Education said: “Hundreds of Spaniards are currently coming to Ireland. Most of them are young people who want to perfect their knowledge of the English language and Ireland is the best place to do so. I think that is the case.” “We hope that our warm welcome will to some extent compensate for the deficiencies of our climate,” the statement continued.
The institute promoted, collaborated with, or organized nearly 200 Spanish music concerts, as well as the Spanish language, until it was attached to the Cervantes Institute in 1991.
The Instituto Cervantes is a public institution founded in 1991 and currently has centers in 45 countries around the world, comparable to the British Council in the United Kingdom.
thank you
Although there will be no special events to mark this milestone, José Antonio said: “The entire staff of the Spanish Cultural Institute is committed to helping us achieve our goals and to serve as a cultural bridge with Spain.” He personally expressed his gratitude for his cooperation. And Ireland for 20 years. “He hopes to travel to Dublin this spring to meet up with his friends and former colleagues with whom he keeps in touch.”