The Diplomat
The Royal Danish Consulate in Malaga, Seville, Cadiz and Huelva celebrated its 400th anniversary on 29 November, highlighting four centuries of cooperation and historical ties between Denmark and Spain.
This consulate, the oldest documented in Spain, symbolizes, according to the statement of the Danish Embassy, the beginning of commercial and cultural relations that began in the 17th century and are now projected into the future, with Andalusia playing a fundamental role for Danish companies in Spain. Andalusia has become a strategic enclave for strengthening business and cultural relations with Denmark and creating new alliances. More and more companies are choosing the south of Spain as an attractive environment for investing, innovating and prospering”.
The event, which took place in the Malaga City Hall, brought together leading figures including mayors of municipalities in the province, territorial delegates and key business leaders from both countries. The Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, was in charge of closing the event, highlighting “the importance of the historical link between Denmark and Malaga for the city and for all of Andalusia”.
During his speech, the Ambassador of Denmark, Michael Braad, highlighted the impact that these 400 years of bilateral relations have had in the economic and cultural field and how the relationship between Denmark and Malaga is a “a living example of how diplomacy and trade can create ties that will last for centuries”.
“Since the establishment of our consulate, continued the Danish ambassador, our nations have shared much more than trade routes; we have shared values, cooperation and friendship. Malaga has been, and remains, a gateway to Denmark in the south of Spain, a place where cultural and economic exchanges have enriched each other”.
“Today, in a world full of challenges and opportunities, we must look to the future with determination and hope. Southern Spain, and particularly Malaga, has positioned itself as a strategic territory for ecological transition. And I am therefore proud that many Danish companies present in Spain are helping to meet this challenge, including some of those who are with us today and who are also international leaders in the health, water and energy management sectors. For Denmark, these opportunities are clear. Malaga is an ideal place not only to strengthen the ties that already exist, but also to establish new alliances”, concluded Ambassador Michael Braad.
Malaga, which is home to the largest registered Danish community outside of Denmark with over 10,000 residents, continues to be a strategic bridge for relations between both nations. In 2022, more than 1.3 million Danes visited Spain, a remarkable figure for a country of 5.8 million inhabitants.
The commemorative act of the consulate in Malaga served as a framework for the presentation of the book De mercaderes a diplomáticos: 400 años de relaciones consulares entre Dinamarca y Andalucía, which was carried out by the Honorary Consul of Denmark in Málaga, Marisa Moreno Castillo.
Written by Susan Kristen, this work covers the most important milestones of four centuries of history, from the time when the first Danish merchants arrived in Andalusia to the present management of this consular representation which serves the wider community of Danes living abroad. Through an exhaustive study of the documentation preserved in both countries and accounts detailing the key events of each historical period, the reader can appreciate how, from the first contacts in the trade of goods such as amber and salt, Up to modern diplomatic arrangements, the relationship between Denmark and Andalusia has been central to the development of both regions.
