2008-09-19 22:56:04 -
www.puertoricorums.com/ - Rums of Puerto Rico Karen Garnik, 787-552-5202 Marketing Director kgarnik@pridco.com or Museum of Art of Puerto Rico Carlos I. Ayala, 787-390-0164 cayala@mapr.com or Tres Palmas Communications LLC Brian Unger, 917-453-7311 Vice President bunger@dwjtv.com Puerto Rico takes center stage at the Smithsonian Latin Center in Washington, D.C. beginning this week. "Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian" has partnered with the
Museum of Art of Puerto Rico (MAPR) to create a series of programs highlighting Latin American culture through exhibitions and educational activities.
The activities begin on September 17 with the opening of the exhibit "Posters of the Division of Community Education (DIVEDCO) of Puerto Rico, 1949 - 1989" in the lobby of S. Dillon Ripley Center in Washington, D.C.
"This collaborative effort pays tribute to Puerto Ricans for their outstanding achievements in the arts, sciences and humanities at the international level," said Dr. Lourdes Ramos, CEO and Executive Director of the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico. "Together with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) we support Puerto Rican culture and diversity and our progress as a country."
The tradition of honoring Latin American Culture was created by the Smithsonian Latin American Center in 2006, with Colombia and Mexico already recognized.
The celebrations honoring Puerto Rico continued on September 18 with a black-tie gala "Smithsonian con Sabor" held at the Smithsonian's Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. "Legacy Awards" were presented to six noted Puerto Ricans for their contributions to culture and heritage in the international arena.
The distinguished Puerto Ricans selected were Pepon Osorio in the arts; doctors Orlando Figueroa, Ariel Lugo and Antonia Novello in the sciences; Marta Casals Istomin and Dr. Juan Flores in the humanities.
Chef Jose Santaella was the special guest at the gala, creating a gourmet menu inspired by the best Creole cuisine. Puerto Rican designers Emilio Olabarrieta and Julio Cintron created decorations inspired by the flora and fauna of the island. Artist Jaime Suarez, creator of "L's of Labyrinth," will also be on hand.
Rums of Puerto Rico showcased specialty tastes of the island. Karen Garnik, Director of Rums of Puerto Rico, said "the tribute paid by the Smithsonian Latin Center to Puerto Rico is a true celebration for all Puerto Ricans."
"This is a unique opportunity for Puerto Rico to showcase the island as one of the most important tourist destinations in the Caribbean," said Terestella Gonzalez Denton, Executive Director of the Tourism Company of Puerto Rico.
"Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian" activities will continue during the coming months with programs for children and adults. Additional details about "Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian" are available at (202) 298-7704 or www.latino.si.edu.
For highlights of the event, including soundbites with Legacy Award honorees, click on the video link.
If you are a TV station and have access to Pathfire DMG, video of the event is available: click on the binoculars, select advanced search tab, keywords: Puerto Rico at the Smithsonian.
About Rums of Puerto Rico:
Rums of Puerto Rico, a division of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO) was created in 1948 to promote the sale of all rums shipped from Puerto Rico to the mainland U.S. Information on Rums of Puerto Rico is available at www.rumcapital.com
Video Highlights Available
