Queen Letizia plants moving tribute to DANA victims in Valencia

Queen Letizia has paid a poignant tribute to the victims of the devastating DANA floods by planting an olive tree in their memory during a visit to a pioneering environmental and social inclusion project in Valencia.

The monarch took part in the ceremony on Friday, November 13, at Campus Diversia, an ambitious initiative combining environmental conservation, education and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The site, which covers more than 400 hectares between the Valencian municipalities of Yátova and Buñol, has created a special memorial space dedicated to those who lost their lives in the catastrophic flooding of October 29, 2024.

Letizia helped add to the tribute by placing a shovel of earth around a young olive tree in the memorial area, known as the Olive Grove of Remembrance. A commemorative plaque was also unveiled during the ceremony.

An olive grove remembering DANA victims

The memorial is particularly significant for communities still living with the consequences of the disaster, which devastated parts of Valencia province and also affected Letur, in the neighbouring province of Albacete.

The flooding on October 29, 2024, claimed lives and caused widespread destruction, leaving homes, businesses and infrastructure badly damaged.

The Olive Grove of Remembrance has been created as a lasting tribute to those affected. The woodland contains 237 trees, representing a collective act of remembrance and a commitment to rebuilding the affected territory.

The memorial occupies part of a wider area of between eight and 10 hectares, divided into different sections with specific purposes.

During the visit, the Queen joined the group in observing a moment of silence among the trees before meeting workers involved in maintaining the olive grove.

The project describes the woodland as a symbol of commitment to the recovery of the land and the creation of a better future.

A project bringing people and nature together

However, the royal visit was about more than remembering the tragedy. Campus Diversia is also working to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities while protecting the surrounding countryside.

The initiative is run by the association Amica and currently provides jobs for 13 people with disabilities. Its wider ambition is to become a leading centre for social innovation, inclusive employment and environmental education.

Its work focuses on biodiversity conservation, ecological production and teaching people about the natural environment, while making sure that people who face barriers to employment have opportunities to develop their skills.

The 412-hectare Finca Mijares provides the setting for the project, with woodland, olive groves and agricultural land forming part of its wider environmental programme.

Schoolchildren meet the Queen

During her visit, Letizia also spent time with 19 children from Pedro Sorolla school in Yátova, who presented work they had completed on aromatic plants, community involvement and the importance of protecting nature for future generations.

The pupils had taken part in a workshop exploring how individuals can contribute to looking after the environment, with their presentations highlighting the role younger generations can play in protecting the countryside.

The Queen was also shown around the site’s Garden of Smells, known as La Era, an accessible space designed to introduce visitors to native ecosystems.

Young participants demonstrated how outdoor learning and nature-based therapy can help people discover their abilities, build confidence and develop new skills.

The programme also included discussions with social organisations and representatives from the University of Valencia about potential opportunities for collaboration, training and research.

Around 20 local residents had gathered to welcome the Queen on her arrival, greeting her with cheers and words of thanks.

Her visit brought together two important messages: the need to remember the people lost in one of Spain’s most devastating recent natural disasters, and the importance of creating opportunities for communities still working towards recovery.

For Valencia, the olive grove will stand as a permanent reminder of the lives lost, while the wider Campus Diversia project aims to demonstrate how environmental protection and social inclusion can work hand in hand.