Minister Albares inaugurates an exhibition at Casa Árabe celebrating 20 years of friendship between Spain and the Arab world.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, inaugurated yesterday the exhibition “رحلة عمر - Tiempo juntos - 2006–2026: 20 years of Casa Árabe and of friendship between Spain and the Arab world,” through which Casa Árabe commemorates two decades of its trajectory as a benchmark of Spanish public diplomacy.

“An anniversary that underscores a shared history and a deep and enduring relationship over time,” Minister Albares stated in his address.

The exhibition, open to the public since 16 April at its headquarters in Escuelas Aguirre, offers a visual overview of the institution’s principal milestones, while contextualising the evolution of relations between Spain and the Arab countries over the past two decades.

An exhibition tracing two decades of shared history

The commemorative exhibition highlights:

The institution’s beginnings (2006–2009) and the opening of its headquarters in Madrid and Córdoba

The consolidation of its cultural and academic activities

Its role in analysing key processes such as the Arab Spring

The promotion of economic diplomacy, particularly with the Gulf countries

Its digital adaptation and the expansion of its programming in recent years

Through a curated selection of photographs, the exhibition illustrates the role of Casa Árabe as a bridge between regions and as a space for institutional, cultural and civic engagement.

20 years of public diplomacy between Spain and the Arab world

Established in 2006 as a public consortium promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and AECID, among other public administrations, Casa Árabe has consolidated its position as a strategic platform for:

Fostering mutual knowledge between Spain and the Arab world

Promoting intercultural dialogue across political, cultural and social spheres

Advancing economic, scientific and educational cooperation

Analysing geopolitical developments in the MENA region

As part of the Network of Casas alongside Casa de América, Casa Asia and Casa África, the institution plays a key role in Spain’s external action.

Madrid and Córdoba: a dual strategic presence

Casa Árabe conducts its activities from two sites of significant historical and symbolic value:

Madrid, at the Escuelas Aguirre, the centre of its institutional, cultural and academic programming, housed in a building declared a Cultural Heritage Asset

Córdoba, at the Casa Mudéjar, a 15th-century architectural complex reinforcing its historical and Mediterranean dimension

This dual presence enables the institution to project itself as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world from a privileged geographical and cultural position.

A trajectory defined by culture, analysis and cooperation

Over the past 20 years, Casa Árabe has developed extensive activities, including:

International cultural programming, featuring concerts by artists such as Anouar Brahem and Rim Banna, as well as cycles such as Ramadan Nights and storytelling initiatives inspired by One Thousand and One Nights

Travelling exhibitions, such as “From Qurtuba to Córdoba,” presented in cities across the Middle East

Meetings with leading intellectual figures such as Amin Maalouf

Political and economic forums, including the Hispano-Arab Political Conference and business meetings on investment in Gulf countries

Spaces for dialogue and mediation, such as the meeting of Syrian opposition leaders that led to the Córdoba Declaration 2014

Academic and educational programmes, including the Arabic Language Centre, the University Arab Classroom and the Edward W.

Said Mediatheque

Innovative social and cultural initiatives, such as fashion shows by Muslim women entrepreneurs and inclusion projects through sport

This diversity of activities reflects its capacity to operate simultaneously as a cultural centre, a think tank and a platform for public diplomacy.

An anniversary projecting the future

The 20th anniversary marks a stage of maturity for Casa Árabe, reinforcing its role as a key actor in Euro-Mediterranean relations.

Its Strategic Plan 2026–2029 prioritises:

Integration with society, particularly younger audiences

The strengthening of international networks

The promotion of values such as diversity, inclusion and sustainability

The exhibition ultimately constitutes an opportunity to understand the evolution of Hispano-Arab relations and the role of public diplomacy in building lasting ties between societies.