The Community of Madrid will declare the Escolanía del Escorial, founded by the Augustinian monks of the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and that of Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caídos, linked to the Benedictine congregation established in the abbey of the same name, as Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), in the category of intangible heritage.
The decision was announced this Tuesday by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Mariano de Paco, after presenting the Suma Flamenca program at the Teatros del Canal, where he assured that this decision was taken “due to its importance in our culture and intangible heritage.”
The Ministry will therefore begin the process of recognizing these two choirs, which have been responsible for preserving the oral tradition over time and have played a fundamental role in the development of their religious communities.
The Escolanía del Escorial is one of the most prestigious choral formations in Spain, founded in 1567 by Philip II, with the aim of contributing to the liturgical celebrations of the newly built monastery.
Since then linked to the Augustinian order, it has become over the centuries one of the most recognized in the world. In this framework, 45 children from all the autonomous communities, aged 9 to 18, receive a complete academic and musical education, specializing in the religious polyphony of the Renaissance.
On the other hand, the Escolanía de la Abadía de la Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caídos has the same importance and international prestige. It was created in 1958 by the Benedictine fathers and currently has 40 children aged 8 to 16. Its repertoire ranges from medieval monody, especially Gregorian and Hispano-Mozarabic chant, to sacred and secular polyphonies from different periods in the history of music.
On the other hand, De Paco once again called on the Spanish government to “exercise its responsibilities and powers” and urged it to “care about the monumental heritage of the Valley of the Fallen.”
