In 2018, the Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center of the University of Salamanca had the great honor of receiving the Japan Foundation Award.

It was the first time that a Spanish person or organization received this distinction, reason why this fact reached special relevance in the academic and cultural context of Spain. This event took place in a very special year, since the Eighth Centenary of the foundation of what is one of the oldest universities in the West was being celebrated.

When reading the list of winners over these 50 years, one has the feeling of being a insignificant part among such important personalities and institutions, while the pride in having received it grows.

This recognition confirms that the activities of 25 years of dedication to the dissemination of Japanese culture and language have not been in vain, and without a doubt, it was an incentive to continue with the actions increasing this diffusion to the performing arts, music, literature and science, without forgetting the Japanese language, a compendium of what constitute the interests of two societies that appreciate each other and maintain a cordial and fruitful collaboration.

This would not have been possible without the invaluable collaboration of the USAL Association in Japan, as well as the Japanese Embassy in Spain, whose leaders defended and validated the proposal.

The Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center has the Japan Foundation as one of its strongest partners, on which it trusts while giving prestige to the initiatives that are carried out.

On behalf of the Rector of the University of Salamanca, as director of the Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center, I must reiterate my gratitude for having been recognized with what we consider to be the most outstanding international award among people and institutions that have a cultural interest in Japan.

The Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center is a modest corner of Japan in Spain that is honored to have the recognition and help of an organization, the JF, which has recognized this work, and there will always be space and time to continue these initiatives that consolidate mutual appreciation.

José-Abel Flores
Director of the Spanish-Japanese Cultural Center
University of Salamanca

(Original text in English)

The Japan Foundation Awards (2018)