Alcalá la Real explores with the Euro-Arab Foundation bringing its Andalusian legacy to training programmes

Alcalá la Real wants its historical heritage to form part of the training programmes of the Fundación Euroárabe de Altos Estudios and for the municipality to host exhibitions, performances and concerts by artists and groups of Arab origin. This is the main avenue that the Ayuntamiento has put on the table in a first meeting with those responsible for the foundation, held on Thursday, October 29 at the headquarters of this institution in Granada, according to the Consistorio. The idea is to make the Alcalá historical legacy known as one of the outstanding enclaves of al-Ándalus and its link with the former border of the Reino de Granada. In the cultural field, the possibility of establishing synergies with the Etnosur festival as a space for exchange and encounter between cultures, and of the municipality participating in discussion forums and cultural meetings, has also been addressed.

The two entities have also discussed other possibilities for cooperation in training, development and management of social and environmental responsibility initiatives, in order to take advantage of the resources and experience of both parties to promote new projects in Alcalá la Real. The Fundación Euroárabe works in cooperation, training and research and promotes dialogue and understanding between Europe and the Arab world, as well as cultural, academic and institutional exchange. Its board of trustees is made up of the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España, the Junta de Andalucía and the Universidad de Granada. On the municipal side, the attendees were the alcalde, Marino Aguilera; the concejal de Cultura, Juan Manuel Marchal; the concejal de Patrimonio Histórico, José Moyano; and the concejal de Industria, Ariadna Barea. Representing the foundation were the director de Cooperación e Investigación, Hassan Laaguir; the secretario ejecutivo, Antonio Sánchez; and Hind Haik Wald-Ghzala, from the Departamento de Proyectos y Cooperación Internacional. The alcalde has stated that this approach responds «to the municipal interest in opening new avenues of relationship with relevant and significant institutions such as the Fundación Euroárabe, and attracting opportunities for Alcalá la Real through its presence in strategic cities such as Granada».