The Yemeni cultural exhibition “Journey to the Gates of the Arabian Peninsula” opened in the Spanish capital Madrid, bringing together a large gathering of Spanish and Arab intellectuals, alongside Yemeni and Spanish officials, as well as Arab and foreign diplomats, in an event aimed at promoting Yemeni culture, its rich civilizational heritage, and its historical ties to Spain and Andalusia.
The opening ceremony was attended by Yemeni Minister of Tourism Motia Damaj, Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman, Yemen’s Ambassador to UNESCO Mohammed Jumeh, in addition to Spain’s Minister of Tourism and a number of figures interested in culture and heritage.
In his remarks during the event, Damaj spoke about the deep cultural connections between Yemen and Spain, describing Spain as not only a living part of Yemen’s history, but also a key contributor to the formation of contemporary Yemeni culture. He noted the strong interest Yemeni writers have shown in Spanish literature and their admiration for many of its major literary figures.
The Yemeni minister said Spanish literature — from Miguel de Cervantes to Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Manuel Rivas — has had a profound influence on Yemen’s cultural consciousness, adding that many Yemeni poets drew inspiration from the works of Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.
Damaj stressed that culture has remained a lasting bridge between Yemen and the world, even in times when politics has failed to play such a role. He expressed hope for broader Yemeni participation in future editions of the event through the involvement of Yemeni intellectuals, artists, and researchers.
He also presented an honorary recognition on behalf of Yemen’s Ministry of Culture to Miguel Moro Aguilar and Vanessa Lago in appreciation of their efforts in organizing and hosting the event in Spain and introducing Yemeni culture to a wider audience.
For her part, Dr. Vanessa Lago, the organizer of the event, spoke about her experience during a visit to Yemen’s Hadramout province, saying she closely experienced the daily life of Yemeni society and explored traditions and customs that reflect the depth of Yemen’s identity and its rich cultural and human heritage.
Lago said Yemen possesses an immense civilizational and archaeological treasure, pointing to the country’s unique cultural and historical diversity stretching from Hadramout — renowned for its ancient commercial and cultural significance — to the island of Socotra, which she described as one of the world’s most beautiful and environmentally unique islands.
She also highlighted her efforts to showcase Yemen’s historical presence in Andalusia and introduce it to Spanish society, noting that traces of Yemeni influence remain visible in the names of Andalusian regions, tribes, and families of Yemeni origin, including Al-Muradi and Bani Jaafar.
Lago said it was important for Yemenis to know that there is genuine interest in the country and its people beyond Yemen’s borders, stressing that “the Yemeni people are not alone in these difficult circumstances,” and describing this message as a central objective of the event.
The exhibition was hosted at Casa Árabe, an institution affiliated with Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with support from its director Miguel Moro Aguilar, who contributed to organizing and hosting the cultural event.
تابعوا آخر أخبارنا المحلية وآخر المستجدات السياسية والإقتصادية عبر Google news
