The King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center celebrates its 25th anniversary, recognized with New York City proclamations. Pictured (L to R) Antonio Merlo, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Jordana Mendelson, director of the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center, and Laura Turégano, associate director of the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center. Credit: Creighton - Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau
Eric Adams, the mayor of the City of New York, proclaimed Thursday, April 7th, 2022, as “King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center Day” in the City of New York.
“On the occasion of its 25th anniversary, I am proud to commend the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center for its efforts to chronicle and promote the achievements of our Spanish communities,” wrote Adams in the proclamation.
The King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center (KJCC) was established in April 1997 in a ceremony that included King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Queen Sofia of Spain as well as then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Adams added that the KJCC “is an important bridge between Spain, New York and Latin America,” has amplified “the voices of Spanish scholars,” and has advocated “for the inclusion of the Spanish-speaking world in academia.”
In addition, Mark Levine, the Manhattan Borough president, proclaimed April 7th, 2022, as “King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center Appreciation Day” in the Borough of Manhattan.
“The KJCC has served as an important cultural resource for New York City by celebrating the history and culture of Spain and Latin America through free public events,” said Levine, who attended the April 7 anniversary event.
In his remarks, Levine highlighted that the center “has invited over 50 distinguished chairs to participate in the Center and has collaborated with over 50 cultural institutions throughout New York City and has hosted over 2,000 events, attended by over 125,000 people, and hosted over 100 virtual events, reaching over 10,000 people.”
Levine and Vice Provost of Academic Affairs Gigi Dopico presented the proclamations on behalf of the Borough of Manhattan and New York City prior to the concert given by Miguel Poveda at NYU’s Skirball Center as part of the anniversary celebration.