Banderas establishes foundation for cancer care and scholarships to U.S.

Antonio Banderas gestures during Tuesday's press conference inaugurating his new foundation.

Antonio Banderas, in his hometown of Malaga for Holy Week, on Tuesday announced the establishment of his new foundation, Fundación Fusionadas. With assistance from the brotherhood he also established – the Brotherhood for the Holy Week of Malaga -  the foundation will finance scholarships for local students to attend United States universities. It will also support the Cancer Care Hospice in Cudeca.

Banderas, who is known for his annual participation in Malaga’s Easter celebrations, said that everyone has a certain obligation to give something back to the community, and that people should, he said, ‘make the most of the human capital that is created during Holy Week’, a time of year when some 70,000 natives briefly return home.

Banderas explained that the scholarship will receive an annual injection of funds through the University of Malaga, which will use the money to provide scholarships for study in the United States, establishing exchanges with U.S. universities. This year’s initial installment will provide 50,000 euros. Banderas said he expects the annual amount to increase in coming years through events such as concerts and galas.

‘I have many very good artistic friends whom I will ask for collaboration’, he said.

The actor’s initiative was welcomed by the city’s mayor, Francisco de la Calle, who said it would bring ‘added value’ to the city.

Citing Cudeca’s need for more support, Banderas called the foundation’s donation to the cancer center ‘symbolic’.

John Grimmett

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