The voices of Nebrija: the word, the music

Look back on the Gala for the 500th Anniversary of Antonio de Nebrija, a cultural performance that inaugurated the events of this commemoration.

Madrid’s opera house (2018)Original Source: Teatro Real

A cultural performance

The Gala for the 500th Anniversary of the Death of Antonio de Nebrija took place on February 21, 2022 in the Teatro Real and was presided over by HM the King and Queen. It was an event with over 1,400 volunteers, which featured different musicians from the Spanish music scene.

Excerpt from the concert of the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

The opening

As a universal language, music became an ally to celebrate Nebrija's legacy and the significance of our culture. Composer and pianist David Peña Dorantes, born in Lebrija just like the illustrious grammarian, inaugurated the evening with his symphony Elio Antonio de Nebrija.

Dorantes at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

"As a child, I used to play at the feet of his statue. I see him as a father, as an uncle."

Speech by José Muñiz at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

History

The President of the Commission of the 500th Anniversary of Antonio de Nebrija and rector of Nebrija University, José Muñiz, underlined the validity of Nebrija's values: a passion for learning, independence from judgment, a scientific spirit, the ability to work…

Haze at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

Innovation

Rapper Haze is a philologist and professor of language at a Seville institution. He is also the common thread of a documentary about Nebrija and stood for innovation and boldness at the gala: two concepts that always accompany any great Humanist.

Haze at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

"I was fortunate enough to be the first rapper to step onto the stage of the Teatro Real."

Speech by Dario Villanueva at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

Word

Darío Villanueva, president of the Nebrija University Board of Trustees and member of the RAE, added an academic touch to the evening. He dispelled myths and drew the picture of a Nebrija, who was indispensable in determining the languages of the Native Americans.

Speech by Eliseo Parra at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

Tradition

Eliseo Parra is a musical populizer, who spent half his life researching and uncovering musicians who performed during the time of Nebrija. He brought all the richness of our tradition to the Teatro Real and transported us to the 16th century from the first note.

Eliseo Parra at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

"Because human beings cannot live without music."

Minister of Culture's speech at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

Consensus

Miquel Iceta, Minister of Education and Sport, underlined that Nebrija's views, which put the individual at the center of society, are now more necessary than ever.

Rozalen's speech at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

Emotion

Rozalén, winner of the 2021 Spanish National Prize for Current Music, was in charge of the last musical act, delivered with her typical sensitivity and emotion.

Rozalen at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

"Sometimes we cannot find the words, and music is what is responsible for filling those gaps. It is a privilege that you count on us to honor someone who had so much to do with words and who gave them so much value."

The King's speech at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

HM Felipe VI

His Majesty closed the event with a passionate defense of Nebrija as a champion of the passion for knowledge and faithfulness to principles.

Eliseo Parra at the Antonio de Nebrija Gala (21-02-2022)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija

Credits: Story

The Gala for the 500th Anniversary of Antonio de Nebrija was an event organized by the Nebrija Foundation and the Nebrija University on February 21, 2022. It was attended by Dorantes, Haze, Eliseo Parra, and Rozalen. The event was presided over by HM the King and Queen of Spain.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Nebrija: The Father of Spanish
View theme

Interested in Performance?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites