By Stasha Mills On one block, Park Avenue between 68th and 69th streets, there are three organizations that have much to offer but are not widely known. At the Americas Society, Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, and Italian Cultural Institute, you can hear a discussion about upcoming elections in Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela; attend a CD release party and performance by Osvaldo Golijov, which coincides with his opera’s performance at Lincoln Center; you or your child can learn Spanish; and you can attend a screening of films in remembrance of the victims of the Shoah.
The Americas Society 680 Park Avenue 212-249-8950 www.americas-society.org Founded in 1965 by a group of businessmen led by David Rockefeller, the Center for Inter-American Relations became the Americas Society in 1985. The Americas Society promotes the understanding of the political, economic, and cultural issues that define and challenge the Americas today, from the Arctic Circle to the southernmost tip of Argentina. It disseminates the cultural achievements of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada in the United States. The Americas Society also publishes the foremost magazine on contemporary Latin American literature. Many of its activities are open to the public but there are a number of members-only events. Basic individual membership is $85, $50 of which is tax deductible.
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Queen Sofía Spanish Institute 684 Park Avenue 212-628-0240 www.spanishinstitute.org Queen Sofía Spanish Institute was founded in 1954 to promote the understanding of Spanish culture, past and present, and its influence in the Americas through a variety of programs. As the Center for American-Spanish Affairs, the institute organizes lectures, symposia, luncheons, and dinner meetings to discuss economic, political, and social issues of concern to Spain, the European Union, Latin America, and the United States. The Institute also offers language instruction and translation services and hosts numerous exhibitions and cultural events related to Spain and Latin America. Its building is a landmark neo-Federal townhouse designed by McKim, Mead & White completed in 1927. The building has been home to Queen Sofía Spanish Institute since 1965, when it was donated by Margaret Rockefeller Strong de Larraín, Marquesa de Cuevas. Membership includes free admission to the openings of exhibitions, lectures, symposia, book presentations, as well as reduced prices for the music recitals and publications of Queen Sofía Spanish Institute. A basic individual membership fee is $60, which is tax deductible.
A sample of events:
Italian Cultural Institute (Istituto Italiano di Cultura) 686 Park Avenue 212.879.4242 www.italcultny.org The Italian Cultural Institute exists to strengthen the cultural links between Italy and the U.S. by promoting academic exchanges, organizing visual arts exhibitions, sponsoring the translation of Italian books, promoting Italian studies, and supporting various events including those related to Italian music, dance, cinema, theater, architecture, literature, and cuisine. Two interesting facts: On its web site you can learn the words and sing along to the Italian national anthem; and to use the library of 32,000 books, you need to be a resident of the tri-state area and pay a $40 fee.
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