The most important event between Spain and China Heritage Dialogues in 2026

On September 24th, the Fundación Cátedra China hosted an unforgettable journey into the life and legacy of Abelardo Lafuente García-Rojo—a visionary whose story proves that big dreams know no geographic limits. Lafuente’s career stands as an extraordinary bridge between Spain and China. Arriving in Shanghai in the early 20th century, he did something remarkable: he introduced a captivating Neo-Arab style to Asia’s most dynamic metropolis. His surviving buildings remain timele

On September 11, 2026, the Town Council of Fuentidueña de Tajo (Madrid) named our project founder, Dr. Arch. Álvaro Leonardo-Pérez, as "Ballenero de Honor" (Honorary Citizen) for 2026 during the most important celebration of the year in this singular town in Madrid. Special thanks go to the mayor, Jose Antonio Dominguez, and his administration team headed by Pilar Carralero for this recognition "Plaza Constitución" in Fuentidueña de Tajo during "Fiestas a la Virgen de Alarill

From July 2026, the Interactive Lafuente Legacy Maps reedited in China from those we shared in September 2024 for the Instituto Cervantes of Shanghai, are showcased at the front facade, describing the Spanish architecture imprint in the city! We are pleased to share with you the new cultural activity launched by the Cervantes Institute in collaboration with this project - the "Lafuente Shanghai Urban Route" digital map. Through the careful design of this project and the full

The inauguration of the new Abelardo Lafuente Garcia-rojo Promenade in his hometown on June 11, 2026, was a landmark event in the history of this research, given its significance for the recognition in Spain of this figure so important to the cultural and architectural relations between two countries so distant yet so intimately linked in their history spanning several centuries and the first globalization they fostered by facilitating the first global exchanges between conti

Official Placement of Commemorative Plaques in Spanish and Chinese languages in Shanghai 's Heritage Buildings. A new milestone for this project and research has been achieved since September 2024, due to the centenary of the construction of these two symbolic "still standing" heritage buildings by Abelardo Lafuente . Thanks to the invaluable help of the new Spanish Cultural Center of the Instituto Cervantes and jointly with the Municipality of Shanghai (Hongkou Distr

Last September 10, 2024 the Government of Spain made its second official visit to China with its president at the head. Among all the major events he held, he met with the Chinese President and the Prime Minister, among other authorities. His long and busy schedule included numerous political, business, and ties-building activities between the two countries, and there was also a moment for culture. The Spanish Prime Minister inaugurated the new Instituto Cervantes center at 2

In September 2024, the third version of the Lafuente maps was created for the most special moment of the Cervantes in China. It happened when the Biblioteca Miguel de Cervantes became an official Cervantes Institute in China. These maps are edited, design and printed in Spanish and Chinese languages only. During the new Cervantes Institute Shanghai official opening, a new leaflet with a Map and information on Abelardo Lafuente's architectural legacy in Shanghai was presented

Thanks to Instituto Cervantes de Manila for their great organization and coordination of the first-ever lecture about the beginning of the professional practice of the Spanish "architect born in Manila", Abelardo Lafuente . Thanks to the College of Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas and the Dean of Architecture (who partners with Cervantes at their relevant events) Rodolfo Ventura . The conference was hosted at the main lecture hall of the most important Facult

A lecture about the life and works of Lafuente at Coimbra University in Portuguese language by PhD Leonardo-Perez thanks to Prof. Zhou invite.

After many months of coordinated work between Abelardo Lafuente Research Project, Biblioteca Cervantes Shanghai, and ICEX Architecture...