The Community of Madrid is celebrating Hispanidad 2026 in its educational institutions with a programme that includes various activities and initiatives, such as a board game based on Magellan and Elcano's first circumnavigation of the globe. The regional Minister of Education, Science and Universities, Mercedes Zarzalejo, attended one of the organised sessions, where primary school students tackled challenges related to Hispanidad and the United States, the guest country for this edition.
The event featured performances from the children's choir of CEIP Nuestra Señora del Lucero and the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma, who presented a choreography by Carlos Rodríguez and Ángel Rojas Dualia, accompanied by music from José Nieto. Students participating in the Exploradores de la Hispanidad programme engaged in a playful exploration of the origins of this celebration and its connection to the United States, thereby learning about the Spanish-speaking community in the country and its traditions through five levels of gameplay: novice, beginner, advanced, expert, and legend.
In the coming days, publicly funded educational centres will begin receiving the first volume of a new collection of school books titled Personajes de la historia de España, dedicated to the figure of Queen Isabella I of Castile. This initiative aims to introduce students to the lives and contributions of significant historical figures, highlighting their relevance and achievements. The collection, aimed at primary school students and early secondary courses, will also include texts on Seneca, El Cid, Hernán Cortés, Charles V, Philip II, Miguel de Cervantes, Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Goya, and Santiago Ramón y Cajal.
Alongside this initiative, Madrid students across all educational stages have access to various educational materials, including comics and card games, which are being utilised during this period. Additionally, the Ministry of Education, Science and Universities has developed a guide titled Celebramos la Hispanidad: acercándonos a Estados Unidos, which includes classroom activities that connect content from different subjects with the artistic and cultural traditions of the guest country. Unplugged robotics activities for early childhood education, primary, and compulsory secondary education, along with their teaching guide, are also available for download from the Education website.
Students from professional music and dance conservatories have also played a significant role in the cultural activities surrounding Hispanidad 2026. The symphonic bands from the professional music conservatories of Alcalá de Henares and Amaniel participated in a grand parade along Gran Vía, which featured representatives from over 20 countries. Meanwhile, the Madrid Río stage hosted performances from the Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma and the professional dance conservatories of Carmen Amaya and Fortea.
