The Institute is named after the Spanish businessman Mr. Vicente Cañada Blanch who, in the early seventies, made a significant donation to the foundation of a Spanish school in London to attend to the education needs of the children of Spanish migrants in the UK. In 1972, the school was founded in Greenwich, just outside London, and from 1982 it is located in Portobello Road, in the city center (Kensington). The Instituto is housed in a former Dominican convent, of which the cloister and chapel, now used as an Assembly Hall, are of great architectural interest; other complementary facilities have been added to the old building, including a modern marquee, funded by the Cañada Blanch Foundation and designed by architect J. Miguel Dols, which provides a magnificent covered space in the main courtyard.
The Spanish Instituto Vicente Cañada Blanch shares space with other Spanish institutions such as a Spanish National University of Distance Education (UNED) support centre, Cervantes Institute offices, and Miguel de Cervantes Senior Citizens Centre.
MR. VICENTE CAÑADA BLANCH
Mr. Vicente Cañada Blanch was born in Burriana in 1900. The son of an orange merchant, when he was 20 years old he moved to London to work at Covent Garden Market. His great knowledge of the business led him to become the biggest Spanish importer of oranges and vegetables to the UK.
His business, which quickly spread to other European cities, such as Hamburg and Liverpool, ran parallel to a major philanthropic activity that earned him being decorated several times by the Spanish and British Governments.
Deeply aware of the problems of migrants, Mr. Vicente Cañada Blanch made important contributions to the establishment of schools for the education of the children of Spanish migrant workers in Europe, America and Australia. In 1972, he acquired a school building in Grenwich, which he later (1982) moved to Portobello (Kensington), and which has been operating under the name Instituto Español Cañada Blanch ever since.
After his death (1993), the culmination of his philanthropic spirit was the delivery of his estate to the Foundation Cañada Blanch of Valencia, which became the trustee of all of his assets and rights and continues his lifelong social service
THE CANADA BLANCH FUNDATION
The Cañada Blanch Foundation was incorporated on November 23, 1970, thanks to an initial donation by Valencian businessman Mr. Vicente Cañada Blanch. Its main purpose was, and continues to be, the promotion of culture, the education of young people, and the management of cultural activities, with special attention to the progress of research, thought, social debate, and the arts, both in the Community of Valencia and in the United Kingdom.
In recognition of the work done in the world of thought and culture, in 1996 the Ministry of Education and Science awarded the Foundation the Badge of Honor of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise.
