Uruguayans in Spain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Overview
Uruguay was part of the Spanish Empire, and since gaining independence, both countries have cultivated strong cultural and economic ties.[5] Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, large waves of Spanish immigrants, primarily from the regions of Galicia and the Basque Country, settled in Uruguay, shaping its culture, society, and demographics.[6]
Since the 1960s, Spain has been one of the main destinations for Uruguayan emigrants who left the country due to various events, such as the civic-military dictatorship (1973-1985) and the banking crisis of 2002.[7][8] In the early 21st century, a significant wave of Uruguayans established residence in Spain, often facilitated by access to Spanish citizenship, since a large portion of Uruguay's population is composed of first- or second-generation descendants of Spanish immigrants who arrived in Uruguay in the 20th century.[9][10]
As of 2022, around 80,000 Uruguayans reside in Spain.[11] The main regions of settlement are Catalonia, the Valencian Community, and Galicia.[12] Expatriate Uruguayans have their own associations in Spain, notably the Uruguayan Center of Madrid[13] and several Consultative Councils.[14] Official information consider that there are at least 50 Uruguayan-run organizations in Spain.[15]
Notable people
- Past
- Mario Benedetti (1920-2009), poet and writer, 2005 Menéndez Pelayo International Prize
- Elio García-Austt (1919-2005), neuroscientist
- Eduardo Galeano (1940-2015), writer, 2006 Global Exchange International Human Rights Award
- Antonio Larreta (1922-2015), actor, writer, film and theatre critic, 1992 Goya Award for Best Adapted Screenplay
- Juan Carlos Onetti (1909-1994), writer, Premio Cervantes 1980
- Isabel Pisano (1944-2025), journalist and war correspondent
- Alfredo Zitarrosa (1936-1984), singer-songwriter
- Present
- Jorge Drexler, musician, 2005 Academy Award for Best Original Song
- Narciso Ibáñez Serrador, theater director and screenwriter
- Jordi César López Delgado, footballer
- Diego Meijide, footballer
- Cristina Peri Rossi, writer and translator, Premio Cervantes 2021
- Carmen Posadas, writer