The Museo Universidad de Navarra has opened its doors. The inauguration of the contemporary art center, designed by architect Rafael Moneo, was presided over by King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain. This marked the start of the art gallery's program, which will begin with five exhibitions and a performance by the National Dance Company on the 22nd and 23rd. More than 1,500 guests attended the various inaugural events, including personalities from the artistic and cultural world, cultural agents, patrons and businessmen from local, national and international backgrounds.

The King and Queen were accompanied by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, José Ignacio Wert; the President of the Government of Navarra, Yolanda Barcina; and Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero, Rector of the University of Navarra, who said that the Museum is "a project rooted in Navarra and at the same time with an unequivocal international vocation. The artistic and cultural offer of the Museum is going to be very attractive and we are confident that it will act as a catalyst for cultural tourism in our community".

He also stressed that the center aims to become the hub of cultural life on campus. "It is a museum open to all, but in a particular way it aims to attract young people." And in this university context, it is also oriented towards research, scientific dialogue, and the exchange of points of view. "There will be an interdisciplinary meeting that brings together varied methods and perspectives from different scientific fields," which is where "the creative ingenuity that allows us to advance the frontiers of science, art and culture" comes from.

After their arrival, the King and Queen addressed civil and academic authorities, including Carmen Alba, delegate of the Government of Navarre; Alberto Catalán, president of the Parliament of Navarre; Enrique Maya, mayor of Pamplona; María Iraburu, vice-rector of the University; as well as the Museum's steering committee, the artistic committee, the members of the Board of Trustees, and the architect of the building, Rafael Moneo.

Tour of the exhibition halls: Tàpies, Oteiza, Palazuelo or Rothko.

They then toured five exhibition halls: four belonging to the collection of María Josefa Huarte; and a temporary exhibition hall, with works by Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle. The Museo Universidad de Navarra was born from the need to house, conserve and disseminate two artistic collections: that of María Josefa Huarte, donated to the University in 2008 and containing fifty pictorial and sculptural works by artists such as Palazuelo, Oteiza, Tàpies, Picasso, Kandinsky, Rothko and Chillida; and the photographic collection of the University of Navarra, consisting of 14.The University of Navarra's photographic collection, consisting of 14,000 photographs and 100,000 negatives from the 19th century to the contemporary period, includes the artistic legacy of photographer José Ortiz-Echagüe.

In addition to the rector and the president of the Government of Navarre, the King and Queen were accompanied on their visit by the general director of the Museum, Jaime García del Barrio, and by Valentín Vallhonrat, a member of the artistic committee, who explained the collection to King Felipe and Queen Letizia. They also greeted the Huarte and Ortiz-Echagüe families, as well as Santi Olmo, curator of exhibitions, and the artist Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle.

At the end of the tour of the galleries, the King and Queen signed the Museum's Book of Honor and the Rector presented them with an edition of a series of photographs by Valentín Vallhonrat, entitled "Fotografía Ornamental" (Ornamental Photography). This is a folder with five prints on cotton paper, with mineral pigments, 40x90 cm. in size, corresponding to a project produced by the Museum and included in the series of Tender Puentes, developed by artists based on a critical reading of the Museum's collections.

Finally, after the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the events ended with a group photograph with 80 students from the University of Navarra, the Museum team and some related artists.

Photo Gallery

A project born of generosity

The Museo Universidad de Navarra, designed by architect Rafael Moneo, has 11,000 square meters, which, in addition to housing a collection of art and photography, also incorporates performing arts activities -theater, dance, music- into its program. The building is divided into three floors with a total of fourteen exhibition halls -with an exhibition area of around 3,000 square meters-, a theater with 750 seats, three workshops, two classrooms, a library, offices, warehouses, a restaurant and other services.

The Rector emphasized that the Museum is the result of the generous support of many people. "It has been built thanks to the financial support of companies and men and women who have understood the cultural and social benefits of this initiative. We have seen once again that many people trust in the educational project of the University of Navarra."

The inauguration of the Museum was attended by personalities from the world of business and art, patrons and prominent families, including Antonio Catalán, president of AC Hoteles; Carlos Irijalba, artist; Christopher Grimes, gallery owner from Santa Monica, California; Emilio Sáenz, president of the Board of Directors and director of the Volkswagen Navarra Plant; the families Calvet, Carrillo Batalla, Fernández Aramburuzabala, Herskowitz, Jiménez-Godoy, Melville, Orlowski, PadulaBlohm, Paiz, Schneeweiss, Verdú and Zielinsky; representatives of the Juana de Aizpuru Gallery and Galerías Thomas Schulte; Ignacio Vicens, architect; Jacques Hachuel, financier; Jaume Giró, general director of the "La Caixa" Banking Foundation; Joaquín del Pino, businessman; Joaquín Giráldez, president of the Caja Navarra Foundation; José Rozas Botrán, of the Rozas Botrán Foundation (Guatemala); Juan Kindelán, businessman; Julián López Zaballos, CEO of Zurich Spain; Manolo Ladillo, photographer; Manu Muniategui, painter; Marta Rodríguez Vera, businesswoman; Moisés Pérez de Albéniz, gallery owner from Pamplona; Pierre Gonnord, French photographer; and partners of Stelac, a multifamily office in New York, and Novatrading, a Polish steel company.

The event was also attended by a hundred professionals from regional, national and international media such as Times Higher Education, The Economist, The Guardian and the Financial Times.