TC hosted the Second International Symposium of Hispanic Presence in the U.S. in collaboration with several Hispanic cultural institutions including the Spanish Consulate and the Instituto Cervantes of New York. Over 70 participants read papers and discussed the many aspects of the topic-the thought, literature, music, history and education of Spanish-speaking people in the United States.

The Honorable Emilio Cassinello, Consul General of Spain in New York, opened the proceedings, underlining the considerable growth in the numbers of the Hispanic population and the inevitable influence they will exert in the future. Dr. Odon Betanzos Palacios, Director of the North American Academy of the Spanish language spoke about the importance of institutions like these for the preservation of the Spanish language in this country. Professor Gerardo Pina-Rosales of TC's Spanish Education program addressed the need for Hispanics to have a greater voice in the cultural and political life of the country. The Keynote speaker, Dr. Victor Fuentes, of the University of California, Santa Barbara, focused on the importance of two centuries of exiles in forging the identity of a Hispanic American literature. During the Symposium, there was an exhibition of Latin American Art curated by Hugo Ortega and Wilbert Torres of TC.

Published Thursday, Jul. 11, 2002