ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Madrid to Host International Forum for Palestinian Cultural Protection

cultural-heritage · 2026-07-09

The Spanish Ministry of Culture, led by Ernest Urtasun, will host the Ministerial Conference for the Culture of Palestine in Madrid from July 14 to 16. The forum, focused on 'tools of resistance,' aims to protect Palestinian culture amid ongoing conflict. Thirty delegations have confirmed attendance, along with organizations such as UNESCO and the Arab League. Oscar-winning documentary director Basel Adra ('No Other Land') will participate as an artist. Urtasun emphasized that the conference should ideally take place in Palestinian territory but acknowledged Madrid as the current venue. The event underscores the vulnerability of cultural heritage during suffering, as culture embodies memory, identity, and the will to exist.

Key facts

  • The forum is the Ministerial Conference for the Culture of Palestine.
  • It will take place in Madrid from July 14 to 16.
  • The theme is 'tools of resistance.'
  • Thirty delegations have confirmed attendance.
  • UNESCO and the Arab League are participating.
  • Basel Adra, director of the Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land,' is attending as an artist.
  • Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun is leading the initiative.
  • Urtasun stated that the conference should ideally be held in Palestinian territory.

Entities

Artists

  • Basel Adra
  • Emad Hamdan

Institutions

  • Spanish Ministry of Culture
  • UNESCO
  • Arab League
  • Ministry of Culture of Spain
  • Ministry of Culture of Palestine

Locations

  • Madrid
  • Spain
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Gaza

Sources