The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Ángel Víctor Torres, has declared, in Mexico City, the Spanish Athenaeum as the first Place of Memory outside our borders. This space, which celebrates 75 years of life, is a reference of Spanish education and culture in the North American country.

Founded in 1949 by Spanish exiles and Mexican intellectuals in order to preserve and spread the democratic memory of the Republican exile, this institution has dedicated its efforts to spread the contributions of those who were forced to leave Spain for defending their ideas after the Franco coup.

Many and very prestigious intellectuals have joined the Athenaeum to spread Spanish culture and science. “The work of the Spanish Athenaeum of Mexico did not end with the return of democracy in Spain in 1978, but has continued to function as an institution that brings together Spanish culture in Mexico,” added Minister Torres, who highlighted the fact that the Athenaeum becomes the first place of memory recognized outside Spain.

The minister, accompanied on this institutional visit by the Secretary of State for Democratic Memory, Fernando Martínez, has also made a floral offering in Parque España, in the monument of President Lázaro Cárdenas, benefactor of the Spanish exile, not only for the reception of the Spanish Republicans, but for the rescue of Spanish children who lived the calamities of the War, known as the children of Morelia; he has also visited the Madrid School and the Luis Vives Institute, pedagogical models that are related to the educational policy of the Second Republic.