Ambassador Aparici emphasised that Spain has evolved from being perceived as a picturesque and remote place to a modern and dynamic country, a transformation in which gastronomy has played a significant role. Víctor Ugarte, the Cervantes Institute's director, presented the Viajeros a España (Travellers to Spain) book collection, emphasising that these publications contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of Spanish society and culture.
Finally, there was a discussion about the evolution of Spain's image through its food and wine. The participants were María José Sevilla, a writer specialising in gastronomy and wine; Sarah Jane Evans, a journalist and Master of Wine; Adrián Fuentes, a professor and translator at the University of San Pablo de Olavide; and Alberto Egea, a professor at the same university and curator of the series in which the talk was included.