The promotion and international dissemination of Spanish culture and the image of Spain is one of the objectives of the Ministry of Culture. Through the creation of the Order of the Arts and the Letters of Spain it is intended to grant the appropriate distinction and recognition to the work of persons or institutions that, either with their works, or through their active participation in various fields of artistic or literary creation, they contribute to the diffusion of Spanish culture and the image of Spain, both inside and outside our borders.

In its virtue, on the proposal of the Minister of Culture, after deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 24 July 2008,

D I S P O N G O:

Article 1. Creation.

The Order of the Arts and Letters of Spain is created, in order to recognize the work of those natural or legal persons who have distinguished themselves in the promotion, value and diffusion of the Spanish culture and image of Spain inside and outside our borders.

Article 2. Payee requirements.

1. The Order of the Arts and Letters of Spain shall be granted to natural or legal persons, national or foreign.

2. Those natural or legal persons who are proposals for the granting of the Order of the Arts and Letters of Spain, shall meet the following requirements:

a) Poseer an accredited and prestigious career path in the field of culture.

b) Contribute substantially to the international spread of our culture, fostering their best knowledge and appreciation for the citizens of other countries.

In the case of foreign natural or legal persons, it will also be valued to have devoted a significant part of their professional career or activity to matters directly related to Spanish culture, as well as maintain an intense personal relationship with our country.

3. In the event that the recognition falls to a legal person, the title shall be received by the person who is the most representative at the time of the concession.

Article 3. Concession.

1. The Order of the Arts and Letters of Spain will be awarded by Royal Decree, on the proposal of the Minister of Culture and after deliberation of the Council of Ministers.

2. In the case of foreign natural or legal persons, the Ministry of Culture will carry out a consultation prior to the proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who will carry out the necessary procedures before the governments of the countries of which they are nationals.

3. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation may propose to the Ministry of Culture the natural or legal persons who, at their discretion, are worthy of this distinction because of their work to disseminate the culture or image of Spain in the outside.

Article 4. Delivery of the Order of the Arts and Letters of Spain.

1. It is up to the Minister of Culture to formally impose the Order of the Arts and Letters of Spain on its beneficiaries. Such imposition shall be effected by a solemn act, concluded in accordance with the personal and place circumstances of each case.

2. In the course of the act of taxation, the Minister of Culture will deliver to his beneficiaries a medal and a badge of accreditation.

Article 5. Character of the Order of the Arts and Letters of Spain.

1. The Order of the Arts and Letters of Spain will have exclusively honorary character, without its grant being able to generate any economic right.

2. The recipients of the Order of the Arts and the Letters of Spain shall have the right to carry the corresponding badge and to hold their status in accordance with social customs and customs.

3. The granting of the Order of the Arts and the Letters of Spain will take the treatment of Excelentisimo Senor or Excelentisima Señora, respectively.

Article 6. Monitoring.

The Ministry of Culture will create a book of record of the Orders granted, in which it will be made to record the incidents regarding the file, processing and granting of the same.

Single end disposition. Entry into force.

This royal decree will enter into force on the day following its publication in the "Official State Gazette".

Given in Palma de Mallorca, 24 July 2008.

JOHN CARLOS R.

The Minister of Culture,

CESAR ANTONIO MOLINA SANCHEZ