On December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the awards ceremony for the XXII Down Madrid Literary Contest was held in the auditorium of the National Library of Spain.

This contest, organized by the Down Madrid Foundation with the collaboration of ACS Foundation, aims to promote access to culture and creativity for people with intellectual disabilities, as well as to highlight the work they do in the field of literature. In addition to the Short Story and Poetry categories, for the second year, the "Relatos a 4 Manos" (Four-Handed Tales) category has been included, featuring stories written by a person with an intellectual disability and a support person of their choice. A book is published with all the submitted works, and copies are deposited in the National Library of Spain.

These awards are part of the ACS Foundation's support for the development of reading and writing skills among people with intellectual disabilities, alongside other Down Madrid initiatives such as the accessible "Cuentigo" books, collectible easy-to-read materials, school dictionaries, easy spelling workbooks, and easy cooking recipes that enhance the autonomy of people with disabilities.

On November 17, the FERO Foundation has awarded its oncology research grants, aimed at supporting scientific talent and projects that seek to accelerate the transfer of laboratory breakthroughs to patients. Among them, the XXXI FERO Grant for Young Researchers was presented, endowed with €80,000 and supported by ACS Foundation.

Dr. Miguel Fernández de Sanmamed, from CIMA and the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, has been awarded the XXXI FERO Grant for Young Researchers for his project "NEO-nano IMPACT". His research explores a novel intratumoral immunotherapy using nanoparticles to enhance neoadjuvant treatments in lung cancer.

Fernández de Sanmamed leads the Applied and Translational Onco-Immunology Group at CIMA, is a specialist in the Lung Cancer Area of the CCUN (Cancer Center Universidad de Navarra), and is ranked among the world's most cited scientists on the Highly Cited Researchers list.

On Sunday, November 2, the XIV Madrid También Popular Race took place in Valdebebas (Madrid). Organized by También Foundation as part of its 25th Anniversary, the event was supported by the Madrid City Council, the Community of Madrid, and ACS Foundation, among others.

Under the slogan "every kilometer counts" and with Irene Villa as its ambassador, this race aims to continue promoting the full inclusion of people with disabilities and fostering educational values through adapted and inclusive sports and leisure.

The nearly 1,500 participants completed the course on handbikes, tricycles, unicycles, push-rim bikes, bicycles, and on foot, in the 10-kilometer, 5-kilometer, and  "Kilometer of Inclusion" categories. The latter saw the participation of children, seniors, families, and pets, regardless of their physical condition or age.

The exhibition Talking Machines. The Art of Capturing Sound can be seen at the National Library of Spain (BNE) from October 16, 2025, to February 8, 2026. It invites visitors to discover the BNE's exceptional sound heritage through the evolution of sound technology, bringing the history of sound recording and reproduction closer to both the curious and researchers.

"Talking Machines" was the term used to describe the first devices capable of recording and reproducing sound in the late 19th century. The expression captured the fascination with inventions such as the phonograph or gramophone, which made it possible to listen time and again to what was once ephemeral. These devices forever transformed the way people interacted with voice and music, launching a cultural and technological movement that opened new spaces for gathering, reinvented the music experience, and radically changed daily life

The exhibition offers a journey through this sound revolution and displays historical devices. It invites reflection on the very act of listening, showcasing how phonograph parlors, homes, town squares, or outdoor gatherings shaped new ways of sharing music.

Organized by the National Library of Spain, it is held in collaboration with the Friends of the BNE Foundation and ACS Foundation.

Exhibition brochure

From October 3 to 13, 2025, the activities of the XXII International Architecture Week took place. Organized by COAM Architecture Foundation and the Official College of Architects of Madrid, the event aimed to bring architecture and architectural heritage closer to the public. This edition featured Portugal as the guest country.

The program included exhibitions, conferences, tours, children's activities and guided visits. Thanks to the sponsorship of ACS Foundation, free visits to more than 60 buildings and over 40 itineraries were scheduled for all audiences. These are open-door days at emblematic institutional headquarters that are not usually open to the public, as well as thematic itineraries in different areas of the city.

For the 2025 edition, the program incorporated visits to the Defense General Headquarters building, the Air Ministry, and new itineraries such as "Madrid in the Movies" and "Villaverde Alto" among others.

Complete information at https://www.semanaarquitecturamadrid.com/