Seville City Council and the Grupo AZVI Foundation have signed a collaboration protocol to promote the conservation of historical heritage and the cultural development of the city, with the centenary of the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929 in sight.
The Mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, and the President of the Grupo AZVI Foundation, Manuel Contreras Ramos, signed this General Protocol of Action on Monday at the Town Hall. The agreement establishes a stable framework for collaboration to promote initiatives for the conservation of historical heritage, cultural enhancement, and the development of projects of general interest for the city.
The protocol, which will initially last for two years and can be extended for another two, does not involve direct financial commitments but will serve as an umbrella for future specific agreements. Each specific project will determine the actions, resources, and responsibilities of each party.
Two Strategic Projects to Start
The agreement already includes two initial lines of action. The first focuses on the recovery of the built heritage for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929, through a scientific research and restoration project for the Teatro Lope de Vega and the Casino de la Exposición. The original polychromy, materials, and finishes of both buildings will be studied and recovered, establishing a model of intervention that will serve as a reference for future actions on the heritage of 1929.
The second line aims to promote the Royal Artillery Factory as one of Spain's major cultural centres. The goal is to reinforce its role as a space for contemporary creation, support exhibition projects, assist artists and researchers, and increase its national and international projection.
Seville 2029 as a Shared Horizon
Mayor Sanz highlighted that this collaboration takes on special significance in the context of preparations for the Centenary of the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929, an anniversary that the City Council wants to turn into a major city project. “Seville today maintains the same international vocation and serves as a bridge between Spain and Ibero-America that inspired the 1929 Exhibition,” he noted.
Manuel Contreras Ramos emphasised Grupo AZVI's connection with Ibero-America, where it carries out significant business activities. “Seville is part of our history and identity. We were born here over a century ago and learned that business growth only makes sense when accompanied by a firm commitment to society,” he stated.
For the residents of Seville, this alliance means that in the coming years they will see concrete improvements in emblematic spaces such as the Teatro Lope de Vega or the Royal Artillery Factory, which is already being transformed into a major cultural centre. Furthermore, the agreement reinforces the city's commitment to private patronage as a means to preserve its historical legacy without relying solely on public budgets.
The protocol includes the creation of a mixed follow-up committee, made up of representatives from the City Council and the Foundation, to coordinate actions. The first specific agreements could be signed before the end of the year, according to municipal sources.
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