One of the main challenges facing the España-Florida Foundation 500 Years is the task of highlighting the importance of Spain’s contribution to the past and present of Florida and the United States, hoping to correct the prevailing estrangement and lack of knowledge on both sides. To that end, the Foundation has launched numerous educational, cultural and business initiatives in conjunction with public and private entities, both Spanish and American.

With the support of the University of Alcalá  and the Embassy of the United States, on Dec. 16 the Foundation will celebrate a seminar in Madrid (Universidad de Alcalá) with the twin objectives of introducing the Foundation to Madrid and making known the contributions of Spanish explorers to U.S. history. 

The seminar, which is free and open to the public, consists of two round-table discussions. The first, commemorating the 450^th anniversary of the founding of Pensacola, the first permanent Spanish settlement in North America, features Spanish and American historians who are experts in the field.

In the second, representatives of the public and private sectors will discuss challenges in Spain-U.S. relations.

After the seminar, representatives of the U.S. Embassy and the Spain Florida Foundation will accept, in the name of Mission San Luis, in Tallahassee, Florida, a statue of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés by Asturian sculptor Favila, who will present the statue himself. The statue, donated by TOAC, will be permanently displayed at the Mission’s new Cultural Center, set to open Dec. 13.

SEMINAR PROGRAM

9:15 a.m. Introduction by Dr. Julio Cañero, University of Alcalá 

9:30 a.m. Round Table: The Impact of Pensacola on the Exploration of North America.

Moderator: Dr. Julio Cañero, University of Alcalá 

Participants:  

Dr. Gary Mormino, University of South Florida

Dr. Almudena Hernández Ruigómez, Complutense University of Madrid

José Antonio Gupergui, director, Instituto Franklin

11:00 a.m. Coffee break

11:30 a.m. Round Table: Challenges in Spain-U.S. Relations

Moderator: Emilio Sánchez, president, España-Florida Foundation: 500 Years

Participants:     

Antonio Garrigues, Garrigues Abogados

Román Escolano, BBVA

Jaime Montalvo, ICEX

WHERE?

COLEGIO DE SAN ILDEFONSO – RECTORADO UAH

SALA DE CONFERENCIAS INTERNACIONAL (1 a PLANTA)

PLAZA SAN DIEGO, S/N – ALCALÁ DE HENARES (MADRID, ESPAÑA)

TEL. +34 91 885 52 52

EMAIL: ABERENGUER@SPAIN-FLORIDA.ORG