The Foundation

The Foundation El Greco 2014 has been established to commemorate the 4th centenary of El Greco’s death. Its primary focus will be to make of Toledo the European cultural centre it was in El Greco’s time. The results of what is to be done are intended to endure and, thus, we will not allow ourselves to be impressed by the ephemeral however brilliant it may seem. The 4th Centenary must transcend the year 2014 and enhance the heritage significance of Toledo, Castilla – La Mancha, and hence of Spain.

The Foundation’s initiative, as in any other public cultural institution, counts with political consensus to better achieve the necessary goals, autonomy and long-term perspective. The Foundation’s project is a project open to collaboration with other countries, to outside support and to criticism that enriches and improves it. Therefore, a project that must be open to society: citizens, institutions equally and to the people of Toledo with the universalism that characterized Toledo.

“El Griego de Toledo” (the “Greek of Toledo”), as he was known in his day, was that immigrant who never learned to express himself well in our language. He always signed in Greek characters and used the name of his nationality, and yet he became the most universal toledano ever: the symbol of the identity of Toledo, an example to today’s men and women that transcends his genius and takes on a social dimension. We intend to make our dream come true with everyone’s help in the hope that when the commemoration is over, as in the final words of The Quixote, we will hear: “Vale” (well done).

There are only 960 days until the 1st of January 2014.

Gregorio Marañón
Chairman of the Foundation El Greco 2014