The travelling exhibition El Prado en las Calles arrives in the Region of Murcia

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The travelling exhibition El Prado en las Calles arrives in the Region of Murcia

  • The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, Carmen Conesa, and the President of Fundación Iberdrola España, Jaime Alfonsín, have signed the collaboration agreement at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Murcia (MUBAM)
  • The planned itinerary will begin on 6 March in Cehegín and will subsequently visit the cities of Murcia, Lorca and San Javier

The Region of Murcia will host the travelling exhibition El Prado en las Calles, organised by the Museo Nacional del Prado and Fundación Iberdrola España, with the collaboration of the Regional Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports. The aim of the exhibition is to bring the collections and historical heritage of the Prado Museum closer to Murcian audiences, touring several municipalities of the Region, starting next month in Cehegín, followed by Murcia, Lorca and San Javier.

The presentation event, held at the Museo de Bellas Artes de Murcia (MUBAM), was attended by the Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, Carmen Conesa; the President of Fundación Iberdrola España, Jaime Alfonsín; and representatives from the municipalities that will host the exhibition, including Alicia del Amor, Mayor of Cehegín; José Miguel Luengo, Mayor of San Javier; Santiago Parra, Councillor for Tourism and Culture of Lorca City Council; and Diego Avilés, Councillor for Tourism and Culture of Murcia City Council.

Also present were representatives from the Regional Ministry, such as the Secretary‑General Juan Antonio Lorca and the Director‑General Patricio Sánchez, along with the Director of Fundación Iberdrola España, Ramón Castresana, and the company’s Institutional Delegate in the Region, Miguel Ángel Cerdán.

Minister Carmen Conesa stated that “making culture accessible to all is, without doubt, a praiseworthy initiative, made possible thanks to the alliance between the Prado Museum and Iberdrola. Even more so when what is offered is an effective and educational introduction to great masters of all eras and schools—artists recognised by the general public and works of universal prestige. These 50 precise reproductions should serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for those who admire them, encouraging them to discover the originals firsthand and experience the wonders not only of the Prado, but also of the many excellent museums in the Region of Murcia and throughout Spain.”

For his part, Jaime Alfonsín highlighted the relevance of this exhibition, “which enables all citizens to enjoy the masterpieces of great painters and to experience the travelling nature of this exhibition El Prado en las Calles, which has enjoyed tremendous success in previous editions.” He also emphasised that the exhibition “would not be possible without the collaboration of the Prado Museum itself and the participating municipalities, all of which will undoubtedly welcome it with great enthusiasm.”

This new edition will open in Cehegín from 6 March to 5 April, offering visitors an artistic journey through the most renowned classical art schools: the Spanish school, with Goya, El Greco and Sorolla; the Flemish school, with Rubens and Rembrandt; the Dutch school, with Dürer and Bosch; and the Italian school, with Caravaggio, among others.

The aim of this outdoor travelling exhibition is to display 50 high-quality reproductions that faithfully replicate the original works, ensuring that visitors enjoy an experience very similar to viewing the paintings in the Prado Museum itself. This initiative also seeks to democratise access to culture so all citizens can enjoy art in its highest expression.

Since its launch in Spain in 2019, El Prado en las Calles has attracted large audiences in regions such as Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Extremadura, Andalusia, Valencia and now the Region of Murcia. In total, the exhibition has visited 58 municipalities.

125 years of history and commitment

Iberdrola is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year with an extensive programme of activities across Spain under the motto 125 años luz, which reflects the company’s transformation throughout its history and its future vision.

Over the coming months, the company will roll out a wide agenda including technology and art exhibitions, music festivals, social events, and the artistic lighting of iconic buildings such as the Cartagena City Hall, with the aim of sharing this celebration with employees, customers, shareholders and society as a whole.

Fundación Iberdrola España, Protector Member of the Prado Museum

One of the Foundation’s main areas of action focuses on the care and preservation of Spain’s cultural and artistic heritage. It has collaborated with the Prado Museum since 2010, supporting its conservation and restoration programmes, as well as funding four annual scholarships for young restorers.

In 2019, it joined the Extraordinary Programme celebrating the Prado Museum’s Bicentenary, and following its success, helped launch this travelling exhibition throughout Spain.

Since 2011, Fundación Iberdrola España has allocated a total of 13 million euros to its Art and Culture area, focusing resources on several programmes, such as the Lighting Programme—which includes the design, execution and funding of artistic lighting projects in listed buildings and monuments—and the Restoration Programme, which supports restoration workshops in leading museums to preserve their pictorial and artistic heritage.

In the Region of Murcia, notable projects include the lighting of the Basílica de la Vera Cruz and its surrounding walls in Caravaca de la Cruz, and institutional collaborations with the Fundación Museo Teatro Romano de Cartagena since 2015 and the Museo Salzillo since 2013.