In the framework of the Madrid Book Fair, Spain’s Ministry of Culture has organised a series of activities to promote the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

First held in 1933, the annual Madrid Book Fair, taking place this year from 30 May to 15 June in El Retiro Park, is a major cultural event in Spain.

As part of the fair, Spain’s Ministry of Culture has arranged an open-air photographic exhibition at the fair dedicated to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Spain. Seeking to increase visibility and public awareness of the Cultural Routes programme, the exhibition featured images and information on each of the 27 Cultural Routes that cross Spain.

On 1 June, the exhibition was presented by Ms. María AGÚNDEZ, Deputy Director General for the Management and Coordination of Cultural Assets at the Ministry of Culture. The event was attended by representatives of eight Cultural Routes.

The Ministry is also organising a storytelling activity for families, tied to the themes of the Cultural Routes. The event, entitled ‘Tales of Europe: the precious legacy of our ancestors’, will take place on 7 June at the Children’s Pavilion in El Retiro Park.

Spain has been a member of the EPA on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe since 2011. Mr. Sergio ORTEGA MUÑOZ, Head of Heritage Protection and European Programmes (Sub-Directorate General for Management and Coordination of Cultural Assets, Ministry of Culture) is Spain’s representative to the EPA. He currently serves as Chair of the EPA Governing Board.