A little bit of history

[flickr-photoset:id=72157624836614439,size=s] In 1990, in the middle of preparations for the Quincentenary celebrations, the Casa de America consortium was created - constituted around three fundamental pillars: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (through the State Secretariat for International Cooperation and Latin America), the Regional Government of Madrid, and the Madrid City Council. Two years later, when rehabilitation work on the Palacio de Linares was completed, His Majesty, King Juan Carlos of Spain, inaugurated the headquarters of Casa de America, coinciding with the II Latin American Summit, which was attended by the majority of Latin American Heads of State. Since then, the most important literary figures have passed through our doors. As have those politicians, sociologists, economists and artists who have had a significant presence in Latin American countries. We have screened and premiered the films and documentaries most representative of Latin American production in recent years and the Gabriela Mistral Auditorium has hosted concerts and performances by the most important singers and musicians across the continent. La Casa de America is by no means a static project. It is constantly evolving, forever adapting to the ever changing socio-cultural reality. Migration between Spain and Latin America has increased. Many Latin American countries have become strong, emerging economies and the presence of Latin American culture is becoming increasingly important globally. Casa de America has not been indifferent to these phenomena. Its activities focus on the people and events that have been fundamental to the development of Latin America. It has opened its doors to become catalyst and disseminator of such a vibrant present, at the same time that it has continued to be an important disseminator of the continent’s powerful historical and cultural legacy. Furthermore, with technology unlocking the keys to so many new doors everyday, leading us into a world without frontiers that poses the challenge of keeping abreast with a new society linked by this network, we offer millions the opportunity to hear the voices and messages emanating from our activities.