On Tuesday, April 11, the Spanish monarch spoke about civic virtues as the core of democratic life. He noted that while much has changed over Spain’s two centuries of history, the nation’s hopes have endured and guided its path forward.
The monarch emphasized that the challenges may be new in their specifics, yet they touch on universal moral foundations. In his words, despite significant historical changes, the country’s aspirations remain constant: a society that values openness, tolerance, mutual support, and civic responsibility as the heartbeat of democracy. The remarks were delivered during a performance at the Ateneo de Madrid, a cultural institution with deep roots in the country’s intellectual life.
Earlier, the opening ceremony of the Ateneo’s Bicentennial was marked by the presence of notable Spanish cultural and political figures. The Ateneo, established in 1823 under the auspices of Queen Regent Maria Christina, had endured a period of closure in 1820. The gathering reflected a shared recognition of the institution’s role in shaping public discourse and cultural life.
Prior to the monarch’s address, a musical segment featured cajón percussion, with host Miguel Rellán inviting the king to reprise a recent performance he gave at the Language Congress in Cadiz. The king accepted with a smile, remarking that the moment would stay with him for a long time as he took the stage.
Felipe VI explored some of the major universal social and political challenges faced today. He spoke about the impact of new technologies and the debates they spark, noting that contemporary societies require new rights and freedoms. He underscored that progress in science, culture, and thought is essential to address the challenges of modern life and to expand human flourishing.
As a long-time supporter of the Ateneo, the king urged the institution to remain a beacon of insight for Spain, helping to illuminate paths through difficult issues and encouraging reflection on the nation’s constitutional values—freedom, solidarity, and equality—that continue to guide democratic development. The king highlighted the Ateneo’s enduring role in fostering dialogue and learning as vital for the country’s future.
Historical layers accompanied the ceremony. In 1884, Antonio Cánovas del Castillo and King Alfonso XII inaugurated the Ateneo’s current headquarters on Prado Street. Attendees included Luis Arroyo, president of the Ateneo, actors Miguel Rellán and Leire Martín, and the scholar Emilio Lledó, among others, with musical interludes by Trio Arbós enriching the program.
The sovereign spoke of light as a metaphor for knowledge and culture—the brilliance of arts, letters, and sciences serving as a compass for the highest human aspirations. This metaphor, he said, offers hope and understanding even in the darkest moments.
The king traced the Ateneo’s history as a symbol of Spain’s collective desire for progress and development. He recalled that the institution embodies a long tradition where freedom and enlightenment go hand in hand, an idea that remains central to Spain’s national story. He recalled a famous maxim associated with the Ateneo: true freedom requires public enlightenment and informed public discourse.
Felipe VI named several distinguished members associated with the Ateneo’s legacy. He cited figures from past decades, including doctors, scholars, and statesmen who helped shape Spain’s modern narrative, such as Gregorio Marañón and Manuel Azaña, the latter as a key figure during the Second Republic. He also mentioned Emilia Pardo Bazán, the first woman admitted to the institution, among others who helped define the Ateneo’s rich history.
A Century-Old Library
The visit concluded with a tour of the library’s exhibit, Two Centuries in Search of Light. Since its founding, the Ateneo de Madrid Library has housed primary works and manuscripts that trace Spain’s intellectual evolution, guiding generations from modernism to literary avant-gardes and movements such as ultraism.
As part of the Bicentennial celebration, the library welcomed the public to the Two Centuries Seeking Light exhibition, offering a rare glimpse into the institution’s collections. The exhibit charts the Ateneo’s development—from the early days when Mariano José de Larra, the first member elected in 1836, helped shape its electoral culture, to the preservation of the members’ archives, handwritten notes, bibliographic funds, and archival photographs that illuminate its history.
The exhibit also features rare glass plates and other artifacts that illustrate the evolution of the Ateneo’s intellectual community over time, inviting visitors to reflect on how knowledge and culture have illuminated Spain’s public life across generations. The Bicentennial program thus connects past and present, inviting a broader audience to engage with the Ateneo’s enduring mission and its role in Spain’s civic life. The journey through the library underscores what the institution has always stood for: a light guiding understanding and progress for the country and its people. At every turn, the narrative honors the ideals that continue to shape Spain’s democratic identity, inviting citizens to participate in a shared project of knowledge, reflection, and advancement.