This is how Art Against Oblivion was born
La Torre del Valle is a small town of 140 inhabitants located in the Benavente region, in the province of Zamora, part of the Castile and León region, right on the Via de la Plata and the Camino de Santiago. It's also part of the Benavente to Astorga Green Route.
We are a town of 140 inhabitants with the same passion. We count on the neighbors, children, youth, and adults, as well as the human resources of the Torre del Valle "Arco Iris" Cultural Association, the Zaragoza Supporters' Club, and the invaluable support of Santiago Gutiérrez.
"Art Against Oblivion in Torre del Valle" was founded in 2017, the year declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. It is a tourism promotion project, promoted by the City Council, which uses art to rescue the cultural, ethnographic, and natural heritage of our towns from oblivion. This project creates opportunities to settle the existing population and encourages new residents to establish themselves and start their businesses in the municipality.
Taking the town of Boadilla de Rioseco as an example and partnering with its Art Gallery, we began the creation of our own gallery. As a connecting link, they gave us the inaugural work. The work, created by Patricia Mateo and José Luis López Moral, is titled "La Reina del Prado," and is located in the Plaza Mayor of La Torre del Valle.
The European Commission declared 2018 the European Year of Cultural Heritage. Its objective is to promote European cultural heritage as a universal resource, raising awareness of its contribution and positive impact on the economy, society, tourism, employment, relations with third countries, cultural diversity, social inclusion, and dialogue. Its slogan is "Our heritage, where the past meets the future."
In 2019, the project was awarded the 2nd Fuentes Claras Regional Prize by the Regional Government of Castile and León, for entities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants.
We invite travelers to enjoy a beautiful artistic tour of our art gallery, which will continue to expand year after year, as the new normal allows.
Thank you for your visit!