An exhibition in Torremolinos reviews the 400 years of the Consular Corps in Málaga.

José Rodríguez Cámara

Torremolinos

A consul is a person authorized in a foreign state's population to protect the persons and interests of individuals from the nation that appoints them, which is not the same as an ambassador who is the direct representative of their country and its government in the assigned location. Therefore, a consul has more street-level functions, in plain language, or in other words, they do not have political functions but rather assistance functions, as described in the Vienna Convention of April 24, 1963.

An exhibition has been inaugurated in Torremolinos about the activities of these positions in the province of Málaga since the earliest contacts on record.

The exhibition is an installation located on Palma de Mallorca Avenue, a place of tremendous transit, largely by foreigners who are settled or visiting Torremolinos and the Costa del Sol. Named '400 Years of History of the Consular Corps in Málaga 1641-2026', the display can be visited until July 12. It was inaugurated by the mayor, Margarita del Cid, alongside the Consular Corps of Málaga, represented by the dean and consul of Romania, José Luís Ramos.

The event took place in Plaza Costa del Sol, with representation from the Junta de Andalucía, Diputación de Málaga, and members of the various consulates in the province of Málaga.

There are 44 posters aimed at visually and reliably conveying the history of the Consular Corps of Málaga, with the intention of highlighting their involvement in the social, cultural, and economic sphere of Málaga. A task that currently involves about fifty representatives from as many states.

History

As recorded by the Consular Corps in Málaga, Andalusia was the most important commercial region of Spain during the 17th century, with diplomatic presence from France in Málaga, Motril, and Sevilla and consuls from Catalonia, Scotland, France, Genoa, Great Britain, Venice, and an imperial consul in Cádiz. It was from the Peace of Westphalia in 1647, with the emergence of modern states, that the separation of diplomatic functions from consular duties was established. That same year Denmark appointed a consul in Cádiz, and the following year the Netherlands did the same. During the second half of the 17th century, the Hanseatic League and Sweden appointed consuls in Málaga, as well as France, the Flemish nations, and German representatives. In 1648, a consul from the Netherlands appeared in Málaga. Notably, Denmark had a consular presence since 1641, with the signing of a trade treaty with Spain, where article 18 mentions the opening of a consulate in Málaga.

Since then, there have been many contacts and milestones that have, in some way, marked the course of the province of Málaga. The consular institution played a prominent role in the origin of the tourism sector on the Costa del Sol. Chronicles narrate that, in 1897, the consular institution had an imprint, with a significant role played by the then British consul in Málaga, Alexander Fin, through the Propagandistic Society of the Climate and Beautification of Málaga. Years later, Jaime de Mora y Aragón, honorary consul of Zaire, would be one of the founders of tourism in Marbella, alongside Prince Hohenlohe.

Reception

But, not only for opening visitor routes, the presence of this body in Málaga is also linked to solidarity, as personified by Porfirio Smerdou, who was consul of Mexico in Málaga and during the Civil War turned Villa Maya, where this legation was located, into a refuge for hundreds of people who, due to their activities, social position, political ideas, or religious beliefs, were threatened with death; more than half a thousand people, from both sides, saved thanks to this decision.

And, regarding the promotion of trade, industry, and agriculture, it's necessary to mention the Consulate of the Sea, which continued with the creation of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Navigation.

On July 19, 1836, the entity was established, and six consuls were among its founders, and its first president was Tomás Heredia Livermore, a very distinguished businessman from Málaga, representative of Portugal in this city.

An enhancement of economic activity that, as the Consular Corps recalls, facilitates the economy of the province and all of Andalusia. Similarly, Málaga companies benefit from "more than fifty windows" to other territories, in collaboration with the former Andalusian Agency for External Promotion (Extenda) or the current Andalucia Trade.

Foreigners

At the inauguration, the mayor highlighted: "Torremolinos is an integrating city, which welcomes and receives with open arms. And proof of this are the more than 18,000 foreign residents registered in our city. That is, more than 24% of our neighbors are foreigners."

Hence, the mayor emphasized the importance of the presence and support of the consulates and consular offices in realities like that of the municipality. "It is evident that many choose paradise to settle down and put down roots, and your support and backing guarantee the well-being of all of them," she said.

For his part, the dean of the Consular Corps and consul of Romania, José Luís Ramos, highlighted the role of these representatives of different nations as "silent sowers of friendship." "Few tasks are as noble as building bridges," he said, to defend, "every gesture of understanding is a victory."

This is one of the most unique exhibitions organized in the province to disseminate the historical and current importance of the Consular Corps in Málaga, which, organized through large-format information panels, explains the evolution of the consulates and their role in the economic, commercial, cultural, and social development of Málaga. A journey that makes it clear that Málaga has not only been a significant commercial port but also an important international diplomatic center.

• Topics
• Tourism
• Industry
• Junta de Andalucía
• Commerce
• Málaga
• Spain
• Torremolinos
• Costa del Sol
• Diputación de Málaga