Spanish-Maltese Circle president Chiara Felice at the Cultural Centre in Valletta. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

The Spanish-Maltese Cultural Centre will be saying “hola” to new students next term, after it was saved from closure by two insurance companies and a philanthropic trust.

“We want to get the word out there that we will remain open for business,” said a relieved Chiara Felice, president and director of studies.

The home of the Spanish-Maltese Circle was saved just as Ms Felice was preparing to start clearing out its library and five classrooms.

It was facing imminent closure as the Spanish Embassy was unable to continue covering its annual rent of €16,000 due to budget constraints imposed by Madrid.

Middlesea, MSV Life and the ADRC Trust, set up by former Bank of Valletta chairman Roderick Chalmers, stepped in at the eleventh hour and agreed to cover the centre’s immediate financial requirements for the cultural year 2013/2014.

Ms Felice had set a deadline of July 31 before she would start packing up the centre’s resources and equipment.

The rent agreement for the premises in Mikiel Anton Vassalli Street, Valletta, was due to expire on August 15.

The sponsors will also help explore ways of improving the Spanish-Maltese Circle’s finances to ensure it is sustainable.

The centre is currently run by volunteers and all income from tuition and membership fees is spent on educational resources, maintenance and fully qualified teachers.

It would have been a pity if it had been forced to close due to lack of funds

Outside of the University it is the only centre in Malta offering Spanish language tuition and recognised qualifications to adults and professionals.

Courses are also offered in Spanish culture.

Since the Spanish-Maltese Circle was founded in 1984 some 5,000 students have taken its courses.

MSV Life chief executive David Curmi said his company’s support was part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility.

“The circle has been active for almost 30 years and it would have been a pity for the 120 students who follow their programme annually if it had been forced to close due to lack of funds,” he said.

MSV Life is part owned by the largest Spanish insurance group, MAPFRE.

Ms Felice was grateful to St Martin’s Institute and the Government, which had separately offered the circle the use of classrooms free of charge.

She also thanked Times of Malta, which brought the dilemma to the public’s attention.

The Spanish-Maltese Circle was originally set up by Spain enthusiasts John Micallef, Antonio Grech, Antonio Far-rugia and Ms Felice’s father, Vincent Azzopardi.

It moved to its current premises in 2001 when the Spanish Embassy, then operating from Rome, agreed to cover the lease.

The Embassy has vowed to continue to support and collaborate with the Spanish-Maltese Circle where it was possible.

pcooke@timesofmalta.com