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The Fundación IBERDROLA and the Instituto Cervantes have entered into an agreement by which the foundation becomes a collaborating member of the institute's Circle of Friends, a forum created with the aim of establishing mutual benefit relations for all those that understand the Spanish language and the culture of Spanish-speaking countries as a cultural asset of significant economic value in a global world. 

The agreement was signed this morning at the headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes in Madrid, by the Chairman of the Fundación IBERDROLA, Manuel Marín, and the Director of the Instituto Cervantes, Carmen Caffarel.Under the terms of this agreement, which shall be valid for one year after which it may be extended, the foundation will support the institute's work of promoting Spanish language and culture.

In her speech, Carmen Caffarel highlighted the importance of the Fundación IBERDROLA joining the Circle of Friends of the Instituto Cervantes: “In times of necessary austerity and budgetary control, it is particularly relevant to create synergies with institutions that understand that Spanish and its culture are a promising asset that can bring them both tangible and intangible benefits.”

Caffarel thanked the foundation for joining the Circle of Friends (Círculo de Amigos), an initiative with which the Instituto Cervantes is opening up new channels of dialogue with society and intensifying its collaboration with important companies, such as IBERDROLA.

In turn, the Chairman of the Fundación IBERDROLA declared that it was an honour to have the opportunity to join the Circle of Friends of the Instituto Cervantes and be able to support the institute's magnificent work as an ambassador for Spanish culture. He added that the increasingly high international profile of the Spanish language meant that it was essential to dynamise and consolidate the Spanish linguistic and cultural heritage.

Mr. Marín went on to say that the Fundación IBERDROLA has a strong vocation for supporting and promoting Spanish cultural heritage. "Despite the difficulties that we are all experiencing in these times, we are firmly committed to maintaining our support for art and culture in the coming years".

About the Instituto Cervantes

The Instituto Cervantes was created in Spain in 1991 - 20 years ago now -  to promote the Spanish language and cultures of Spanish-speaking countries abroad.   It has centres in over 70 cities in 44 countries on five continents.

His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain is the President of Honour of the Board of Trustees that governs the Instituto Cervantes. The Executive Presidency is held by the President of the Spanish Government.   Over 130,000 students study Spanish with the Instituto Cervantes each year. It also organises 6,500 cultural activities per year, to promote the best of literature, art, cinema and other aspects of culture in Spanish.  

About the Fundación IBERDROLA

The Fundación IBERDROLA, with Ignacio Galán as its Founding Trustee and Manuel Marín in the role of Chairman, focuses its activity in three main spheres of action: progress towards a sustainable energy model, cultural development in the countries where IBERDROLA operates and cooperation towards development and solidarity.

The Fundación is also involved in various projects for the conservation of historic-artistic heritage. Some of the highlights among these are the Atlantic Romanesque Heritage Restoration Programme set up in collaboration with the Portuguese Ministry of Culture and the Regional Government of Castile and Léon, which aims to restore 33 Romanesque temples located in the vicinity of the rivers Duero and Támega, and the sponsorship, as a 'supporting member', of the Prado National Museum Restoration Programme.