400 YEARS FULL OF ADVENTURES AND HEROIC DEEDS BY "THE KNIGHT OF THE SORROWFUL COUNTENANCE"

AN INGENIOUS AND INNOVATIVE CELEBRATION

In 1605, the first edition of El Ingenioso Hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, the best known piece in Spanish literature, was published.

In this respect, Castilla-La Mancha is responsible for organizing all the events related to the celebration of the IV Centenary. This is a homage to the wit that emerges from the book in every page and also to the dreams and realities reflected in the character "Don Quixote".

This is an open event, as the story related in this book is something almost universal. Even though Don Quixote comes from La Mancha, his story is a heritage we all share. This Centenary aims at motivating society and improving economy with a dynamic approach.

In 2005, the values and principles symbolized by Don Quixote will match today's reality in Castilla-La Mancha. We will make a joint effort to accelerate our development efforts and improve our knowledge of the region.

This IV Centenary is a good opportunity for Castilla-La Mancha to become known in the whole world at all levels (culture, economy and tourism, etc.)

Today, Castilla-La Mancha is a modern region, open to innovation and full of opportunities, an ideal place for investment.

Our objective is to publicise a dynamic region where entrepreneurs and companies manufacture top-quality products, a young, supportive and tolerant society committed to progress.

We want to prove how the values and principles depicted in the novel remain in today's society and help us to preserve our traditions and our cultural, natural and architectonical heritage while encouraging progress and technical innovation. That is why our region sets a good example of sustainable development and quality of life.


CULTURE AND INVENTIVENESS: A BASIS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The inventiveness reflected in Cervantes' works is what makes this celebration appropriate in Castilla-La Mancha. We intend to use this opportunity to apply that inventiveness to society and improve the quality of life in the region.

This public enterprise aims at achieving sustainable development in the region through culture and inventiveness. This principle honors both the celebration of this IV Centenary of the publication of the novel by Cervantes and the need to encourage culture, development and integration in Castilla-La Mancha.

The public company "Don Quijote de la Mancha 2005, S. A." pursues two objectives: encouraging cultural activities and events related to the novel, and encouraging development in Castilla-La Mancha at all levels (infrastructures, tourism, communications, new technologies...) in 2005 by optimising our own abilities and resources.

Both objectives are inspired by the inventiveness and innovation reflected in the novel written by Cervantes four centuries ago.


CULTURE

For the cultural aspect, some measures have already been taken. These are some examples:

- Listing of all the artistic, cultural, social or educational expressions related to "Don Quixote" or other works by Cervantes.

- Recognition and acknowledgement of other important works.

- Interaction with individuals, experts and associations interested in "Don Quixote" and other works by Cervantes

- Organization of all kinds of activities and events in 2004 and 2005, and promotion of new programs and initiatives beyond 2005.

These are our general objectives:

- We want all Castilians to acquire and read this book and also make this novel known in the rest of the country and in the rest of the world.

- We want to encourage Castilians to take an active part in the events and activities scheduled for this IV Centenary.

- We want to provide primary schools, secondary schools, and universities with teaching materials and books (collections of books by Cervantes or "biblioteca cervantina").

- We want all towns and villages in Castilla-La Mancha to participate in the events related with this IV Centenary (either as actors, objects or hosts) and also to guarantee the continuity of this initiative beyond 2005.


DEVELOPMENT

In this respect, we intend to update those ongoing and already planned initiatives (both public and private) improving quality of life and encouraging sustainable development in the region. We will support all kinds of pilot programs and pioneer initiatives. These are our general objectives for 2005:

- Obtaining a significant improvement in road communications (motorways as well as roads and rural paths), by using "intelligent" infrastructures or exploiting existing resources. This way, our region will be more accessible and competitive.

- Improving our tourism infrastructures and promoting the "Route of Don Quixote" as a cultural event deeply rooted among different cultures.

- Making great progress in research and development.

- Promoting our typical products abroad through the brand "IV Centenary".

- Improving infrastructures and supporting initiatives in all the villages and towns of the region within the framework of the IV Centenary (2004-2005).

- Encouraging initiatives and pilot programs related to the IV Centenary all over the region, in order to promote our products and improve public services.