Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria

Santander's International Piano Competition is, along with the popular Festival Internacional and the annual summer school at the Universidad Internacional Menendez y Pelayo, among the most important cultural events to take place in the city. The competition is held every summer in July and August. The competition was set up in 1972 by Paloma O'Shea and talented young musicians come from all over the world to take part. Competing in the event guarantees significant international prestige and participants may also be awarded grants to continue their studies by the Fundacion Isaac Albeniz which organises the event.