Queen Sofía Spanish Institute

Queen Sofia Spanish Institute
FoundedJune 9, 1954
TypeCultural institution
Location
  • Offices at 575 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022
ProductSpanish cultural
EndowmentYes
Employees3
Websitequeensofiaspanishinstitute.org

The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute is an organization in New York City, founded with the aim of promoting the culture of Spanish speaking countries and to foster their relations with the United States. It is located at the Oliver D. Filley House on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.[1][2]

History

On May 18, 1954, the institute was incorporated as a non-political, non-profit organization under the laws of the State of New York.[3]

In 1965, the philanthropist Margaret Rockefeller Strong, saved the landmark building 684 Park Avenue from destruction. With her support and funding from McMicking Foundation, the institute made this building its headquarters.

The institute was renamed in 2003, to recognize Queen Sofía of Spain as its patroness.

In 2014, the building was sold. The institute cosponsors lectures, educational programs and other culturally relevant activities.

In 2018, the Institute formed a partnership with the Hispanic Society to provide a Maps and Globes educational program in New York City Public Schools of District 6. Other partners of the Institute include the Instituto Cervantes, Hunter College, Juilliard, the Spanish Consulate and the Americas Society.

In June 2025, the Institute was awarded the President General's Medallion by the Daughters of the American Revolution.[4] The medallion was presented to the Institute's president and CEO, Begonia Santos, by President General Pamela Rouse Wright during the opening night ceremony of the 134th DAR Continental Congress at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.[5]

Background

Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, Inc. (the “Institute”) is a non-profit corporation founded in 1954 to stimulate American's interest in the Art, Culture, Customs, language, literature and history of the Spanish speaking world and to promote, among the Spanish-speaking peoples of the world; knowledge and understanding of ideals, culture and customs of the people of the United States, to the end that ties of friendship may be formed, mutual understanding promoted, and bonds of peace strengthened.

Cultural events

The Institute holds a wide variety of artistic endeavors, including the co-sponsoring of exhibitions and lectures on important artistic movements, artistes and their works. Along with visual arts; the institute strives to support performance art as well, including concerts, performances, and lectures on the relevance of this art in today's society. The institute also holds gastronomy events in order to enrich American's knowledge of foods of the Spanish-speaking world and to bring people together.

The Institute holds a bi-annual translation prize to recognize translators who have successfully translated a work from Spanish to English and helped to make knowledge accessible including historical and educational lectures in order to enrich American's understanding and knowledge of the Spanish-Speaking World.

In September 2025, the Institute partnered with the Daughters of the American Revolution to host "Spain and the Birth of American Democracy: A History Symposium" at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.[6] The symposium was attended by Queen Sofía.[7]

Awards organized

Gala Gold Medalists

Beginning in 1978, The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute's Gold Medal was annually awarded to Americans and Hispanic people in recognition of their contributions to the betterment of relations between the United States and the Spanish Speaking World.[8] This event brought together an array of international and American leaders and benefactors for a festive night of celebration. The Gala was a major source of funds for the activities of the institute.

In 2003, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the institute, the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal was awarded to His Majesty King Juan Carlos I and Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain.[9]

The Institute no longer holds a Gold Medal Gala.

The recipients of the Gold Medal were:

Sophia Award for Excellence

The institute holds an annual ceremony to present the "Sophia Award for Excellence". This award pays tribute to a person or an organization that has actively contributed to the international appreciation of Spain and the Americas through a donation of time, expertise and wisdom in the areas of science, arts or the humanities.

The president and CEO is David Askren and the executive director, since September, 2017 is Patrice Degnan Erquicia.

Translation Prize

With the aim of elevating awareness of Spanish literature in the United States, a triennial $10,000 prize was created by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute to honor the best English-language translation of a work by a Spanish author. The inaugural award, celebrating the best translation published between 2006 and 2008, was given in 2010 to Edith Grossman for her 2008 translation of Antonio Muñoz Molina's A Manuscript of Ashes.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Who We Are – Queen Sofia Spanish Institute". Retrieved 2025-10-25.
  2. ^ "Queen Sofia Spanish Institute". New York City Tourism + Conventions. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
  3. ^ "Queen Sofia Spanish Institute". www.nycgo.com/.
  4. ^ "QSSI Awarded DAR President General's Medallion". Queen Sofía Spanish Institute. New York City. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  5. ^ "Daughters of the American Revolution Celebrate National Award Winners at the 134th Continental Congress in Washington, DC". Daughters of the American Revolution. Washington, D.C. July 3, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  6. ^ Jamil, Hania (20 September 2025). "Queen Sofía highlights Spain's role in American Revolution with Washington event". Daily Jang. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  7. ^ Peluffo, Guido (20 September 2025). "Queen Sofía of Spain hosted by Daughters of the American Revolution for history symposium". WJLA-TV. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Queen Sofia Spanish Institute". Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  9. ^ "Queen Sofia Spanish Institute Gold Medal Gala". Queen Sofía Spanish Institute. 19 November 2013.

40°46′7.96″N 73°57′56.88″W / 40.7688778°N 73.9658000°W / 40.7688778; -73.9658000

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Sof%C3%ADa_Spanish_Institute