The upcoming event in Alicante brings together political voices and cultural leaders to discuss a range of important topics. The Forum + Europe gathering, organized by the Club Information and Casa Mediterráneo in collaboration with Miguel Hernández University, will host a morning session designed to explore culture, governance, and civic priorities. A breakfast colloquium is planned at the Casa Mediterráneo, starting at 9:30, featuring Minister Miquel Iceta as the keynote speaker who will present a conference titled “Objective Culture.” The session will aim to illuminate how culture policy intersects with regional development, education, and social cohesion, offering attendees a clear picture of current priorities and future directions for public culture initiatives in Spain and beyond.
The event’s program includes a formal opening led by Andres Perello, with Casa Mediterráneo acting as host and organizer for a series of discussions that will be presented by Tatiana Sentamens, the Deputy Chancellor of Culture at the Generalitat de Catalunya. The debate will be moderated by the director of the INFORMATION Club, Toni Cabot, who will guide participants through a structured conversation that connects cultural policy with practical outcomes for communities, universities, and cultural institutions. The format is designed to encourage engagement from scholars, practitioners, students, and policymakers who are actively shaping the cultural landscape across Catalonia and the broader European region.
Looking back on leadership transitions in recent times, Miquel Iceta’s political trajectory has featured a series of major steps with implications for cultural governance. In late December 2020, Iceta announced a decision that set his course toward regional leadership as Catalonia prepared for elections held on February 14, 2021. The broader government context then saw Salvador Illa appointed to the poste of Minister for Regional Policy and Public Function on January 27, 2021. Later that year, an administrative reshuffle prompted President Pedro Sánchez to designate Iceta to succeed José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes as the minister in charge of Culture and Sports, marking a pivotal moment for cultural policy at both national and regional levels. This historical backdrop informs the current Forum + Europe discussions, emphasizing continuity and reform in how culture is funded, promoted, and integrated into public life across diverse communities.