11/05/2005
11/05/2005 Next 16 May at 20:00, the prestigious paleontologist Juan Luis Arsuaga, who has been awarded the Príncipe de Asturias Prize for his findings in Atapuerca, will open the cultural programme called "Encounters with the Cathedral", organised by the Santa María Cathedral Foundation, to be held at the Europa convention centre.
Arsuaga is considered one of the most prominent scholars in the world. He is Professor of Paleontology at the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, and director of the UCM-ISCII Joint Centre. On this occasion, he will talk about his work in the mountains near Burgos, where he is co-director of Atapuerca´s research team.
Arsuaga´s presence at the opening lecture of "Encounters with the Cathedral" is proof of the high quality of the programme in its third edition. Interestingly enough, in the context of the programme, over the last two years, the Santa María Cathedral Foundation has called together the most outstanding figures in art and culture, such as Ken Follett, Alfredo Bryce Echenique, Mario Vargas Llosa, Antonio Gala, Arturo Pérez-Reverte, Paulo Coelho and José Saramago, among others.
The cultural programme of the Santa María Cathedral Foundation includes many different activities, such as conferences and seminars on cultural heritage conservation and management, architecture and archaeology; workshops of traditional trade skills; courses for children; music concerts; drama performances; exhibitions; painting, story writing and photography competitions; and so on.
The foundation´s efforts to disseminate culture have been acknowledged both nationally and internationally. The latest distinction has been the invitation for the Santa María Cathedral Foundation to take part in the 2005 Madrid Book Fair, between 27 May 27 and 12 June.
The programme of the third edition of "Encounters with the Cathedral" will be presented by the Santa María Cathedral Foundation early in June. As a foretaste of the events to come, next Monday, 16 May, Juan Luis Arsuaga will deliver the opening lecture at the Europa convention centre. The talk, which begins at 20:00, is free of charge. No attendants will be admitted after full capacity has been reached.