Ateneo Español de México

The Ateneo Español de México is a cultural institution founded in Mexico City in 1949 to promote Spanish culture and science in Mexico. It was created by the community of Spanish exiles who arrived in Mexico after the Spanish Civil War, with the support of Mexican intellectuals such as Alfonso Reyes. The organization is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the documentary, bibliographic, literary, and artistic heritage of the Spanish Republican exile, as well as organizing cultural activities related to that exile and to Latin American, Mexican, and Spanish culture more broadly. It operates as a civil association (A.C.) and maintains a library and archive. Its current president, elected in April 2023, is Juan Luis Bonilla Rius.

The Ateneo Español de México was founded in Mexico City on January 4, 1949, by Spanish Republican exiles who had arrived in Mexico after the Spanish Civil War, with the support of Mexican President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río and intellectuals such as Alfonso Reyes. Its predecessor was the Ateneo Ramón y Cajal, created in 1942 by exiled physicians to evaluate and homologate medical degrees for practice in Mexico. The Ateneo Español de México was established with five sections covering the intellectual life: Plastic Arts; Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Natural Sciences; Philosophy, Economics and History; Literature; and Music, Theater, Cinema and Radio. Its first president was Dr. Joaquín D'Harcourt. The institution has since served as a hub for Spanish exile culture in Mexico, maintaining a library and archive and organizing cultural activities. In April 2023, Juan Luis Bonilla Rius was elected president of its Mesa Directiva.

• 2023

  Juan Luis Bonilla Rius elected president of the Mesa Directiva in April.

• 1949

  Ateneo Español de México founded in Mexico City on January 4.

• 1942

  Ateneo Ramón y Cajal founded by exiled Spanish physicians, predecessor of the Ateneo Español de México.

A non-profit cultural institution preserving the legacy of the Spanish Republican exile in Mexico.

1. 1Official websiteateneoesmex.com
2. 2Wikidata entrywikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia (Spanish)es.wikipedia.org