Casa de la India: two decades building cultural bridges
This institution, unique in Spain, is the epicenter of the dissemination of Indian culture in Spain | VIII edition activity summary
Casa de la India is a benchmark for Spain-India bilateral relations. Founded in 2003 by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Valladolid City Council, and the University of Valladolid, it stands out for being the only one of its kind in Spain, and one of three in Europe, along with those in London and Berlin.
Its goal is to become a benchmark for the dissemination of Indian culture beyond the city itself. During their visit to Valladolid, the Indian Leaders 2025 couldn't miss the institution's headquarters, with its characteristic original wooden haveli, incorporated into the garden façade, which was donated by the city of Ahmedabad in 2009.
The Leaders were welcomed by the director of Casa de la India, Guillermo Rodríguez, with whom they toured the facilities while learning about its activities and history. They were accompanied by David Rodríguez and Mercedes de la Fuente, coordinator of the Escuela de la India Educational Program.
Also present at the meeting were Julio Grijalba Bengoetxea, architect and Vice-Rector of Infrastructure and Heritage at the University of Valladolid, and Alberto Grijalba Bengoetxea, professor of Architectural Graphic Expression. These architects were responsible for the renovation of the building that houses the Casa de la India headquarters, a building constructed around 1915 and donated by the Valladolid City Council.
The renovation not only transformed a century-old building but also transformed it into a vibrant cultural center, a symbol of dialogue between Spain and India: special attention was paid to the materials, interior finishes, and architectural language, and contemporary elements that engage with Indian aesthetics were incorporated, such as the aforementioned haveli façade. A haveli is a traditional Indian mansion.
With more than 20 years of history, Casa de la India continues to fulfill its mission of being a fundamental space for the dissemination of Indian culture in Spain.
Meeting attendees:
▪️ Guillermo Rodríguez, director of Casa de la India
