Culture celebrates International Archives Day under the theme 'Archives for Justice'

Detail of the poster created to commemorate International Archives Day 2026

The Ministry of Culture is celebrating the eighth Archives Week to mark International Archives Day, which is commemorated every year on 9 June with the aim of raising public awareness of the value of archives in society and promoting the use of the documentary heritage they preserve.

This year's edition is being held under the theme '#ArchivesForJustice: Rights, Memory and Futures', which focuses on the fundamental role played by these entities in supporting justice, rights and democratic societies.

From 8 to 12 June 2026, the nine state-owned archives will be offering an extensive programme of activities including open days, document exhibitions, guided tours, meetings and other outreach activities. All activities require prior registration on each institution's website.

Programming at the state archives

During the week of celebration, the archives will hold open days and guided tours, in addition to a specific programme. The National Historical Archive is organising 'Archives for memory: recognition, human dignity and lived experiences', with the presentation of documents from its Inquisition Section. In addition, as part of the 'The National Historical Archive investigates' series, researchers and university professors will present projects based on its collections, and the educational exhibition 'The archivist's craft' will be open to the public.

In Valladolid, the Archivo de la Real Chancillería is hosting the exhibition 'El Arte en discordia. De la obra al conflicto' (Art in Discord: From Artwork to Conflict) and is organising a workshop for users focused on understanding its documentary holdings. The General Archive of Simancas has opened its permanent exhibition 'The fortress of memory: history and collections of the Archive of Simancas'. In addition, in collaboration with the town council, a costume parade honouring the heritage of the province of Valladolid, a historical reenactment of "The Oath of King Ramiro," and a concert by the Good News Gospel Choir have been organised.

In Seville, the Archivo General de Indias is opening a "window into the archive" with documents on slavery and is offering tours of its facilities in collaboration with the Cathedral Archive and the Alcázar Archive of Seville, and of its temporary exhibition 'The Art of Preserving Memory: The General Archive of the Indies'.

For its part, the Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica de Salamanca is organising guided tours of the temporary exhibitions 'Letters for Freedom: The 2nd International Congress of Writers for the Defence of Culture' and 'Library at War', in addition to three lectures dedicated to the Lyceum Club Femenino, the Concordat Prison of Zamora and the institution itself.

The General Archive of the Administration of Alcalá de Henares has prepared the event "Archives in Dialogue," which, in addition to establishing a dialogue with the RTVE archive, will offer tours of the centre, including the Historical Archive of Social Movements and the Documentary Information Centre for Archives, which are located in the same building.

In Toledo, the Archivo Histórico de la Nobleza will close the exhibition 'Image Regis' and present the publication in PARES of the collection 'Santa Cruz: documents of Álvaro de Bazán and the Spanish Armada' as part of the 500th anniversary of Álvaro de Bazán's birth.

Finally, in Barcelona, the Archive of the Crown of Aragon will be offering free visits to its historic headquarters in the Palace of the Viceroys and guided tours for groups at its two locations, in addition to continuing the exhibition 'Heritage of Hope: The Abolitionist Legacy in Europe'.

International Archives Day in state museums

Several state museums are also joining the commemoration with special activities that highlight the role of archives in the preservation of memory. On 10, 11 and 12 June 2026, the National Archaeological Museum (MAN) proposes 'Baelo Claudia. 100 years of memory in the MAN archive', an event commemorating the centenary of the 1926 acquisition of part of the collection assembled by Pierre Paris during excavations at this archaeological site in the province of Cádiz, through artifacts and documents preserved in the museum.

The National Sculpture Museum is offering the workshop 'On memory', on 9 June 2026, which will introduce the public to the work of the archivist. Led by Sofía Pizarro and Ignacio Navío, Museum Archive technicians, the workshop invites participants to preserve stories and memories.

For its part, the Museo del Greco is hosting the exhibition 'Sobre el papel. El Greco, vecino y pintor' (On Paper: El Greco, Neighbour and Painter), which brings together ten documents from the National Historical Archive and the Historical Archive of Toledo and integrates historical documentation in dialogue with the painter's works.

#ArchivesForJustice: Rights, memory and futures

The theme chosen by the International Council on Archives (ICA) for International Archives Week 2026, '#ArchivesForJustice: Rights, Memory and Futures', highlights the essential role of archives in supporting justice, rights and democratic societies. International Archives Week is thus consolidated as a global platform to showcase the social functions of archives, from accountability and the preservation of memory to the safeguarding of rights and the support of the rule of law.

The Ministry of Culture is once again taking part in this celebration through the work and activities programmed in the nine archives managed directly by the Subdirectorate General of State Archives, which reports to the Directorate General for Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts.

Located in Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia and Castile and León, these archives are custodians of documentation from the Middle Ages to the present day. Through the custody, conservation and dissemination of documentary heritage, archives are fundamental pillars in the exercise of transparency, historical memory and the enhancement of collective identity, which are essential in today's democratic societies.

Non official translation