Summer temperatures have been impacting the entire world in recent weeks. In Spain’s capital of Madrid, temperatures have been hitting 106 degrees (F), making it uncomfortable for residents and visitors throughout the day. Now, in a new program called Refúgiate En La Cultura (Take Shelter in Culture), people can cool off from the summer heat in multiple air conditioned museums while being presented with amazing cultural displays.
Summer temperatures have been sweltering the world this month. In Madrid, Spain, the hottest hours of the day have made it feel nearly impossible for residents and visitors to enjoy the beauty and culture that the European city has to offer.
To combat this, Madrid’s council for culture, tourism, and sports have announced a new program to not only cool off individuals throughout the city, but provide them with beautiful displays of Spain’s history and culture.
In a new program called Refúgiate En La Cultura, which translates to “Take Shelter in Culture,” free flamenco shows, comic monologues, and discounted movie tickets are available across multiple museums and cinemas to get people out of the heat while providing a worthwhile experience.
“We’re obviously aware that summer can be a complicated time – and that there are more and more tourists in Madrid in July and August, which used to be months when we got very few foreign visitors,” said Marta Rivera de la Cruz, Madrid’s councilor for culture, tourism and sport.
“We knew we needed to come up with some alternatives so that these people weren’t out on the streets at the hottest times of the day. So we thought, why not make use of places that are really well air conditioned and that also offer some extraordinary culture? And that meant museums, cultural centers, libraries and cinemas.”
Rivera de la Cruz mentioned that residents of Madrid are used to the summer heat, and often tend to just stay indoors to keep cool, however, for visitors it’s not as easy. Offering cultural experiences for tourists with the amenity of air conditioning is a great way to kill two birds with one stone.
Free flamenco shows are available in the Prado, the Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, as well as the Royal Collections Gallery.
Free comic monologues are being offered in the city’s various and architecturally enamoring libraries. Discounted movie tickets are being offered for most screenings before 5 pm.
“That’s why we’re suggesting that if you come to Madrid for a few days, you should visit the Prado at the hottest time of the day,” Rivera de la Cruz stated.
“I think Refúgiate en la cultura is proof of the fact that the authorities have to provide ways to help people shelter and escape from these very hot times of the day, which people are more and more aware of. You have to take them seriously and you have to respect them. Being out on the streets isn’t a very good idea, but we have to give people alternatives.”
While Madrid is always particularly hot during the summer months, like the rest of the world the past few summers have been exceedingly hot from climate change.
Rivera de la Cruz also stated that the activities themselves won’t generate any additional carbon footprint, since the locations for each event are already air conditioned.
“It’s about taking advantage of the spring conditions in museums when it’s much hotter outside,” she said.
The city council of Madrid is hoping that this new initiative will not only be successful, but become an annual program that “will complement the free Veranos de la villa concerts, plays and cultural events that have been a summer fixture in the capital for the past 40 years,” according to the Guardian.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
