From left to right: Gigi Dopico, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs; Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President; Laura Turégano, KJCC’s Associate Director; and Jordana Mendelson, KJCC’s Director. Credit: Creighton / Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau

While celebrating its 25th anniversary, the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center was recognized with two New York City proclamations.

Eric Adams, the City of New York mayor, 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.

Adams added that the KJCC “is an important bridge between Spain, New York, and Latin America” and that it has amplified “the voices of Spanish scholars” and has advocated “for the inclusion of the Spanish-speaking world in academia.”

Laura Turégano and Jordana Mendelson. Credit: Creighton / Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau

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, a concert given by flamenco singer Miguel Poveda, at NYU Skirball theater, as part of the anniversary celebration.

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.”

From left to right: Antonio Merlo, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Mark Levine, Manhattan Borough President; Jordana Mendelson, and Laura Turégano. Credit: Creighton / Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau.

Levine and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Gigi Dopico presented the proclamations on behalf of the Borough of Manhattan and New York City before Miguel Poveda’s concert.

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, and then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.