Organizers
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The Regional Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Regional Government of Castile and Leon, with Maria Jose Salguiero Cortiñas as Regional Minister and President of the governing committee of the Siglo As part of its functions and activities, the Ministry has set the goal of undertaking activities related to the promotion of Spanish for foreigners as a tourist resource, with the final aim of contributing to the Region's development. |
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The Instituto Cervantes, directed by Carmen Caffarel, is a non-profit-making public body, whose basic aims and objectives are the universal promotion of the teaching, study and use of Spanish and contributing to the diffusion of culture overseas. |
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Turespaña is an independent body, linked to the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce, through the Secretary of State for Tourism, presided over by Joan Mesquida, and whose aims include the planning, development and execution of activities aimed at promoting Spanish tourism in international marketplaces, the support for commercial networks for Spanish tourism overseas and collaboration with Regional Governments, local authorities and the private sector in programmes for the promotion and sale of their products overseas. |
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Salamanca Town Hall, with Mayor Julian Lanzarote Saster, is the city’s governing body, here in the city of Castile and Leon, with the highest number of foreign student visitors and which offers the greatest number and best quality infrastructures and services related to the teaching of Spanish to foreigners. |
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The University of Salamanca, whose Rector is Jose Ramon Alonso, was founded in the year 1218, making it the oldest University in Spain and one of the ancient in Europe. Its prestige, both past and present, are a major factor in attracting students and faculty, from both Spain and overseas. Its esteemed halls have been the learning places of historical figures within the field of Spanish culture, such as Antonio de Nebrija, Fray Luis de León, Gonzalo Correas, Francisco de Quevedo, Calderón de la Barca, Fernando de Rojas, San Juan de la Cruz, Torres Villarroel and, among many others, the last three Directors of the Royal Spanish Academy. |