World Ocean Day concert in Alcalá de Henares, Spain

Alcalá de Henares, 30 km from Madrid and birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, originated from the Roman city of Complutum and now hosts 200,000 inhabitants. The city’s renowned university, founded in 1499, became a key academic hub during Spain’s Golden Age, attracting intellectuals like Antonio de Nebrija and San Ignacio de Loyola. The Plateresque-style Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso façade underscores Alcalá’s historical significance, leading to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. On June 8, 2024, Mundus maris celebrated World Oceans Day in the university’s historic music hall, featuring a musical program themed around water. The event commenced with a welcome address by a university representative, followed by speeches from Patricia Morales and Marianne Braun of Mundus maris, highlighting ecological and ethical concerns. Musicians, including Olegario and Almudena Olayo Martínez, performed pieces ranging from Handel’s “Water Music” to contemporary compositions by Anastasia Petrushevska. The event, marked by a packed audience, ended with wine, tapas, and the distribution of Mundus maris information, creating an unforgettable evening that blended music with marine conservation awareness.