The cultural event “Yemen: Journey to the Gates of Arabia” has officially opened at Casa Árabe in Madrid, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of Yemeni culture and heritage in Spain. The event, organized by Masarat Foundation in partnership with Casa Árabe—a cultural institution affiliated with Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs—and the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Spain, brought together a large and diverse audience of Spanish and Arab intellectuals, Yemeni and Spanish officials, as well as diplomats from Arab and foreign countries.

The opening ceremony was attended by high-level dignitaries, including Yemeni Minister of Tourism Muti’a Dammaj, Deputy Foreign Minister Mustafa Noman, and Yemen’s Ambassador to UNESCO Mohammed Jumeh, alongside representatives of the Spanish government and numerous cultural and academic figures. The gathering reflected a growing commitment to strengthening cultural ties between Yemen, Spain, and the wider international community.

The Director of Casa Árabe, Miguel Moro Aguilar—whose collaboration was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition—welcomed the audience with a remarkable speech highlighting the historical importance of Yemen and expressing his enthusiasm for hosting this initiative at Casa Árabe. His remarks set the tone for an event dedicated to cultural exchange, historical reflection, and mutual understanding.

In his address, Minister Dammaj emphasized the deep historical and cultural connections between Yemen and Spain, noting that Spain remains a living part of Yemen’s historical memory and a meaningful contributor to its contemporary cultural identity. He also referred to the influence of Spanish literature on Yemeni writers, citing figures such as Miguel de Cervantes and Federico García Lorca, and underscored that culture has consistently served as a bridge between Yemen and the world, even in times of political difficulty.

During the ceremony, the Minister of Culture of Yemen presented an honorary recognition to Vanessa Lago, Founder and Executive Director of Masarat Foundation, in appreciation of her efforts to promote Yemeni culture internationally and introduce its heritage to wider audiences. In her remarks, Vanessa Lago reflected on the time she spent in Yemen, highlighting the great hospitality of its people, as well as on the beauty of its architecture and the sophistication of its cultural and artistic heritage. She emphasized Yemen’s extraordinary civilizational and archaeological heritage, from Hadramout to the island of Socotra, and stressed the importance of making Yemen’s cultural legacy visible to international audiences.

Through this initiative, Masarat Foundation reaffirms its commitment to building cultural bridges and amplifying Yemen’s voice on the global stage…