Spain has received “the award that everyone who is working on cultural issues related to the Arab world would like to have.” This is how Irene Lozano, director of Casa Arabe, has defined the Sheikh Zayed award, with which the institution she directs has been recognized in the category of cultural personality of the year, one of the most prestigious.
To date, only one Spaniard had obtained this recognition in 2009, the Arabist Pedro Martínez Montávez, a crucial figure who, throughout his career, made contemporary authors such as Naguib Mahfuz, Nizar Qabbani and Mahmud Darwish known to the Spanish-speaking public. .
“It is a recognition of the public diplomacy of our country and the influence of Spanish culture, and, of course, it is an encouragement to continue working,” Lozano explained to La Vanguardia minutes before going on stage to collect the award.
The secretary general of the award, Ali Bin Tamim, thanked the institution for its work, as well as “its fundamental role in the connection between Arab and Spanish culture, which is worthy of praise.” Also for “its unique cultural approach aimed at promoting dialogue between civilizations”, and for its “work in the promotion, defense and celebration of the Arabic language.”
Arabic is the second most spoken language by the foreign population in Spain, as around 600,000 native speakers reside in the country. Lozano assures that, since he has taken office, “I have noticed that the interest between Spain and the Arab countries is increasing. It is undoubted.”
Casa Arabe, based in Madrid and Córdoba, has set its goal since it opened its doors sixteen years ago to promote the Arabic language and culture, both in Spain and in Spanish-speaking countries. To achieve this, it has, among other resources, a language center, where it teaches courses weekly, and also holds cultural events, such as conferences, Arabic film sessions, concerts or calligraphy workshops for all ages, among others.
The Amistad award, created in 2023 and dedicated to recognizing the work of individuals or entities that have promoted the dissemination of the Arabic language, is one of its most recent projects and its first winner was the Arabist and editor Carmen Ruiz Bravo-Villasante.
