The Spanish government allocated €72,358 for an official event at the Yebes Observatory in Guadalajara to mark the recent total solar eclipse. Its scale and VIP area drew attention. The gathering brought together 300 guests, including four ministers. The program included a cocktail dinner and an open bar, with a live performance by indie band La Habitación Roja. Organized through the public Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the event was managed by Fandom Comunicación, the sole bidder, for €59,800 plus VAT, just €100 below the tender price.
Information from documents reviewed by EL MUNDO, the event had two observation zones: a general area in the parking lot and a VIP rooftop space reserved for officials, impressive guests and media. Activities began at 13:30. The program paired science outreach with guided tours; planetarium screenings and workshops were also on offer. Diana Morant, Minister of Science, New idea and Universities, led the official ceremony. She was joined by the ministers of Interior and Digital Change. The minister of Territorial Policy also attended. Despite speculation, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez did not attend, and Moncloa clarified that his presence had never been planned. The regional president of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, followed the event remotely from Toledo.
Guests had access to six hours of open bar service, while coffee and water were available for four hours. Catering included lunch for all attendees and two cocktail-style dinners, one for the general public and another for authorities and VIPs, with an estimated 200 diners. The event ended with a concert by La Habitación Roja. The guest list included public officials and observatory staff with their families. National and international experts also attended, along with around 30 journalists. To ease travel from Madrid, organizers provided three 50-seat buses, with staggered departures and returns. A shuttle linked a reserved parking area in Yebes to the observatory, where private vehicles were not allowed.
Requirements included an ambulance equipped for basic life support and staffed by two emergency technicians. The site also had individual chemical toilets. Water points were provided for handwashing and refreshment. The cost breakdown, excluding VAT, included €9,000 for two tents and €12,500 for their setup, including furniture and carpeting; graphics were also included. Catering cost €10,500. A team of about 20 staff cost €10,300, while climate control came to €10,000. Health and safety cost €4,600, and shuttle services €3,000. FECYT said it outsourced the organization because it lacked sufficient internal resources. It pointed to the chance created by three solar eclipses in Spain over three years to promote science to the public.
The Yebes Observatory is managed by the local Astronomical Center under the National Geographic Institute and is described as a strategic facility for frontier research in Spain. The chosen agency, based in Alcobendas, specializes in high-level brand content and techniques drawn from the entertainment industry. The event's scale and public expense have prompted debate over whether such spending on scientific outreach was appropriate, particularly given the exclusive VIP arrangements.
The Yebes event is part of Spain’s national “Three Eclipses” program, covering 2026 to 2028 and designated an event of exceptional public interest. The program runs from 1 February 2026 through 31 January 2029. It is intended to support science outreach and cooperation among public institutions, while encouraging public participation. Under Order CNU/1093/2026, dated 8 October and published in the Official State Gazette on 17 October, an inter-administrative committee coordinates initiatives and approves activity programs. It also certifies expenditure eligible for associated tax incentives. The order entered into force the day after publication.
The structure makes FECYT responsible for materially carrying out program activities. FECYT must submit a technical and financial report covering income and expenditure, along with completed activities. The report must include an audit. Qualifying promotional expenditure may receive a 15% tax deduction when certified under the exceptional-public-interest program. The national scheme places individual events such as the Yebes gathering within a wider, time-limited effort to connect public administrations with scientific and educational institutions. It also aims to broaden public access to astronomy.
The Yebes Observatory, managed by the local Astronomical Center under the National Geographic Institute, is described as a strategic facility for frontier research in Spain. The chosen agency, based in Alcobendas, specializes in high-level brand content and entertainment industry techniques. The event's scale and public expense have prompted discussion about the appropriateness of such spending on scientific outreach, especially given the exclusive nature of the VIP arrangements.
Interest in astronomical events has surged in Spain, with public authorities increasingly organizing large gatherings to promote science and education. Safety and accessibility have become central themes. Recent coverage of eclipse-viewing protocols has addressed protective eyewear and observation zones; see the detailed guidance in this report on eclipse safety measures in Spain. The Yebes event reflects growing public appetite for such experiences, alongside the ongoing debate over public spending on high-profile scientific celebrations.
