Instituto Cervantes Plans Return To Gibraltar

The Instituto Cervantes, a non-profit organisation responsible for promoting the study and the teaching of Spanish language and culture across the world, is planning to return to Gibraltar almost 11 years after its centre in Irish Town closed.

The local branch was closed after a period of heightened tensions during the tenure of José Manuel García-Margallo as Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs. While it was operating, it hosted language courses (attended by over 1,000 people), book launches, cultural activities and conferences. 

The head of the Instituto Cervantes, the poet Luis García Montero, has said that everything has ben “prepared and studied” with a view to reopening the Gibraltar branch.

Although a return to the Rock would still be subject to funding decisions, the start of the UK-EU Treaty earlier his month is viewed by the institute as an opportunity to resume cultural and educational activities in Gibraltar.