The Principal of the Universitat de València, Juan Luis Gandia, has collected from the president of the Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez, the European Heritage Label that he recently obtained in La Nau cultural centre. The meeting, held in the Palace of the Generalitat, has also been the first institutional contact between both directors, a few days before the investiture ceremony of the Principal, scheduled on 20 May.

The recognition, given last April, highlights the symbolic value and the historic role of La Nau as a founding site of the Universitat de València, and also as a key space in cultural and humanist configuration of contemporary Europe. With this great distinction, La Nau becomes the first Valencian place and the fifth in Spain to obtain the European Heritage Label, along with the General Archive of the Crown of Aragon and the Residencia de Estudiantes de Madrid (Student’s dorm) (2014), the Mining Park of Almadén (2021), and the monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste (2023).

The European Heritage Label recognises these places that promote identity values, diversity and European cohesion. The candidature of La Nau underlines its strategic role when articulating the relation among the university community, the territory, and the European dimension through its heritage, history, and the cultural and educational activities that promotes. All of this consolidates La Nau as a living and dynamic space, an epicentre of one of the most ancient universities of Spain and Europe, which daily projects values such as democracy, sustainability and social justice.

More people attended this event: from the university, Albert Moncusí –vice-rector of Culture, Sports, and Social Bond–, and Marisa Vázquez –director of Cultural Heritage. From the Generalitat, Marta Alonso –regional secretary of Europe–, Blanca Camarena –general director of Cultural Heritage–, and Esther Gómez –regional secretary of Universities– also attended.