Lima and Madrid Launch Cultural and Culinary Exchange Initiative

Lima's historic center became the stage for a vibrant cultural and culinary exchange as Peru and Spain officially launched 'DeLiMadrid.' This initiative, spanning three days, aims to foster deeper connections between the municipalities of Lima and Madrid through shared traditions and gastronomy.

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DeLiMadrid... was born from a conviction that two great capitals can meet through their kitchens, their traditions, and their creativity.

The launch event featured an elegant dinner on a street near Lima's Plaza Mayor, attended by Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espá, Spanish Ambassador to Peru Alejandro Abellán, and Secretary General of the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI) Almudena Maíllo del Valle. Attendees savored Peruvian cuisine while celebrating the new initiative.

Lima's Mayor, Renzo Reggiardo, highlighted that DeLiMadrid, which had a previous edition in Madrid in January, was born from the conviction that two major capitals can connect through their kitchens, traditions, and creativity. He described gastronomy as a vital platform for culture, identity, tourism, employment, and innovation, serving to project cities globally. "We are building a bridge that is sustained by culture and a passion for fine dining," Reggiardo stated, proposing a toast to both cities.

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Gastronomy is culture, identity, tourism, employment, innovation, as well as a platform to continue projecting our cities to the world.

Peruvian Foreign Minister Espá echoed this sentiment, noting that gastronomy is a language both cities speak with enthusiasm, preserving memories and transmitting traditions. He observed that while both cuisines have distinct personalities, they share a fundamental love for gathering and making food an experience to be shared. Espá anticipated DeLiMadrid would be "a great open table, with entrepreneurs, and in the brotherhood of peoples," revealing connections that extend far beyond the dining table.

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We are building a bridge that is sustained by culture and a passion for fine dining.

This cultural exchange follows Lima's recognition as the Ibero-American Capital of Cultures for 2026. The city also inaugurated a meeting of the UCCI's sectoral culture committee, bringing together representatives from 18 countries to strengthen cultural policies and share experiences. This award celebrates Lima's "cultural diversity, heritage richness, and contribution to the development of Ibero-American artistic and cultural expressions."

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if there is a language that (both cities) speak with enthusiasm, it is gastronomy.