Did you know that the Centro Cultural de España in Tegucigalpa is more than just a building? It is a vibrant hub for Honduran artists and creators. Known locally as CCET it stands as a testament to the strong cultural ties between Spain and Honduras.
Inaugurated in 2007 the Centro Cultural de España emerged as part of the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo AECID network. Its mission is clear to promote culture creativity and cultural diversity as drivers of progress.
The Centro Cultural de España offers a diverse range of programs. These programs include training and activities that span visual arts science technology gender studies literature and heritage. It welcomes around 50000 visitors each year.
But its roots go back further than 2007. To understand the CCET we must delve into the history of Spanish-Honduran cooperation. The first seeds were sown in 1895 with the Treaty of Peace and Friendship. This treaty laid the groundwork for mutual cooperation between Honduras and Spain.
A decade later a new treaty solidified this bond. It focused on the recognition of academic titles and studies. This remained in effect until 1935. Under President Luís Bográn Dr Antonio Abad Ramírez y Fernández Fontecha played a key role. He was the Honorary Consul of Spain in Tegucigalpa. He also served as Rector of the Central University of Honduras.
Dr Ramírez organized cultural missions. These missions aimed to strengthen the Honduran education system. He encouraged the immigration of Spanish professionals to achieve this. Artists and teachers were contracted for universities colleges and military schools. Manuel Montorio taught chemistry at the Central University. Tomás Mur a writer founded the Academia Privada de Bellas Artes. This academy paved the way for the Escuela de Bellas Artes in 1940.
In 1921 scholarships were introduced. They supported Hispanic American students studying in Spain. The painter Max Euceda was among the first beneficiaries. Later Pablo Zelaya Sierra also received a scholarship. He studied at the Escuela Especial de Pintura Escultura y Grabado in Madrid. These scholarships evolved into the MAEC-AECID scholarships.
In 1946 the Spanish government established the Instituto de Cultura Hispánica in Madrid. This organization aimed to foster relations between Spain and Hispanic American countries. A network of similar institutions emerged across Ibero-America. In 1948 the Academia Hondureña de la Lengua was founded in Tegucigalpa. It is a corresponding member of the Real Academia Española RAE.
February 1950 saw the arrival of a poetic mission in Honduras. Poets Antonio Zubiaurre Luis Rosales and Leopoldo Panero were part of it. Ambassador and poet Agustín de Foxá also joined. This occurred before the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In 1951 the Instituto de Cultura Hispánica in Madrid organized the Primera Bienal Iberoamericana de Arte. Honduran artists José Antonio Velasquez Carlos Zúñiga Figueroa Max Euceda Ricardo Aguilar and Ricardo López Rodezno participated. This event boosted new artistic generations.
Honduras joined the movement of Institutos de Cultura Hispánica. In 1951 the Instituto Hondureño de Cultura Hispánica was created. This private institution became a key partner in Spain’s cultural efforts in Honduras.
In 1957 the Treaty of Cultural Exchange was signed. In 1994 it was replaced by the Convenio de Cooperación Cultural Educativa y Científica. In 1972 the Cátedra de Cultura Hispánica was established. It was at the Escuela Superior de Profesorado Francisco Morazán.
In 1996 the Ministerio de Cultura de España organized the Encuentro Cultural España-Centroamérica. This strengthened cultural cooperation.
In recent decades the Instituto de Cultura Hispánica evolved into the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo AECID in 1998. This led to the creation of the Centro Cultural de España.
The CCET building itself has a story. It was once the site of the Galería Portales. This gallery was an early attempt to connect culture and community.
The Centro Cultural de España continues to thrive. It offers a MediaLAB a radio station and spaces for exhibitions and events. It stands as a symbol of cultural exchange and development in Honduras.