Bulletin # 390
July and August 2016
JEREZ DE LOS CABALLEROS, BADAJOZ
Jerez de los Caballeros, important city of the Renaissance period, was the cradle of the birth of
Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, explorer, governor and Spanish conqueror. He was the first European to
see the Pacific Ocean.
FROM THE PRESIDENT:
I do not know how many of you saw in "Letters to the editor", the letter that was
printed in the newspaper UT- San Diego last Sunday June 5, 2016. This is the article (the
newspaper limits the letter to no more than 150 words):
Explorer deserves a statue in Balboa Park
The UT newspaper (in San Diego California) has published several articles and responses
from its readers saying that Vasco Nuñez de Balboa was a terrible Spanish explorer, a
point of view that is not supported by the historic letters.
House of Spain, Casa de España in Balboa Park has made an English translation of the letter of Balboa from
the year 1515 to the King of Spain Ferdinand II, where Balboa protests the treatment of rape, murder and
slavery, that the natives receive for the personal benefit of the governors, captains and soldiers. He urges the
King to punish and/or take the guilty out of these lands and which changes the way that these people treat the
natives.
People interested in seeing the translation of this letter can make an appointment, it is perhaps the first time
that human rights are recognized in the new world.
Balboa struggled to establish a secure and sustainable village in Panama, and angered his compatriots, whom
they murdered - a martyr for human rights, as he saw it.
In 1913 the founders of Balboa Park wanted to put a statue of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, in the park that bears
his name. The statue would also honor millions of Hispanics and descendants of indigenous people in our
region.
Jesus Benayas
President
House of Spain, Casa de España in San Diego
People interested in reading the letter of eight pages in Spanish or English can pass by the casita and read it.
They can also view a pdf copy by going to the web www.houseofspainsd.com under INFORMATION, OFFICIAL
DOCUMENTS, OTHER DOCUMENTS.
Greetings
Jesus
The Washington Post added Charles V (Carlos I) of Spain among the great empires,
following the information of ABC
The American newspaper ignored in its original list the
Spanish ruler among the large political entities who tried to
unify the continent. Finally, the information has been
rectified, including the Habsburg territories in the article
Portrait of Emperor Charles V (Carlos I) in 1533
The black legend continues to wreak havoc centuries after the enemies of the Spanish Empire stained the European
historiography of propaganda. The latest example of this has come from "The Washington Post" in an article which, in
appearance, has nothing to do with Spanish history, except precisely by omission. The American newspaper lists the
failures of some political entities that tried to unify the continent. Originally this list did not include the Empire of
Charles V (Carlos I), which no matter who likes it, reigned over the Holy Roman Empire, the Aragonese possessions in
Italy, the Duchy of Milan, the Low Countries and, of course, the Hispanic territories.
[Note: After the information was published In ABC, the "The Washington Post" has finally included the Empire of Charles
V (Carlos I) in the item list, accompanied by a map of the Habsburg territories in 1556.]
The editor of the "Washington Post", Ishaan Tharoor included among the "large political continental projects that have
failed or collapsed over two millennia of European history" to political entities of antiquity, such as the Roman Empire;
the Middle Ages, Charlemagne's Empire or the Byzantine Empire; and of the Modern Period, the Napoleonic Empire or
Europe conquered by the Nazis.
Carlos I of Spain and V of Germany brought together from a very young age a huge number of crowns and territories on
his head. The premature death of his father, Felipe I of Castile, gave him from early childhood the titles of the House of
Burgundy, i.e. those that Charles "The Bold" had conquered by arms at the expense of France in all territories that today
occupies the Low Countries. On the death of his maternal grandfather, and given the incapacity of his mother, Joanna
"The Mad", the young Charles received the titles of King of Castile, which included the crown of Navarre and the Indies,
and of King of the Crown of Aragon, which extended his power to Naples, Sardinia and Sicily. In addition, his victories in
Italy on Francis I of France reported to the empire of Charles the Duchy of Milan.
However, the biggest piece of the European pie came to Charles of Habsburg with the title of emperor of the Holy
Roman Empire, which he disputed in 1520, with Francis I of France and Henry VIII of England. To be Emperor of the Holy
Roman Empire involved reigning over the current Germany and Austria, but it was something more nominal than
practical, since every part of the empire was governed by its own laws and had scarcely any political tools that operated
throughout the territory.
Until his abdication in 1555, Charles V (Carlos I) of Spain reigned
over half of Europe with an imperial project that sought to unify
Christianity in a great and peaceful idea employing Castile as an
integrating element. However, Charles V (Carlos I) inherited an
empire as vast as heterogeneous. To the legal differences of
each territory were added also the economic interests of each
territory, hindering the practice of a uniform policy, which did
not deal with the different States among themselves.
César Cervera - ABC, June 20, 2016
Map of the Empire of Charles V (Carlos I). In purple the territory belonging to
Castile; in red, Aragon; orange, the Low Countries; yellow, Habsburg territory
ACTIVITIES OF JUNE
JUNE 11: FLAMENCO
With a large attendance, the house was full of members and friends. We all enjoyed the presentation of Paco Sevilla that
led us to the roots of flamenco art with his dance and his singing. Afterwards it was offered to those present a delicious
variety of tapas and drinks. We thank all the people that helped us to prepare this unforgettable evening.
Tuesday June 14: Visit of Dr. Wendy Kramer
The Canadian historian, Dr. Wendy Kramer came to San Diego and in the Casita gave us an interesting conference
relating to the studies carried out by her in Spain and Guatemala, on the identity and the birth of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
and documents found that certify that he was a Spanish citizen.
A view of the attendees
Dr. Kramer with Jesus and Bob
Saturday, June 25 Feast of Saint John (San Juan):
We celebrated this traditional festival in the Casita. With a large attendance of members and friends we shared that
afternoon of friendship and we enjoyed the delicious food brought by the members. House of Spain, Casa de España
contributed with drinks. Thanks to Maruja Williams and to all the volunteers who helped to prepare, serve and then
clean after this and the other feasts of the month:
Enjoying the friends and the landscape…
Demetrio, Consuelo, and Sagarario
Board of Directors
President:
Vice-president:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Jesus Benayas
Nina Yguerabide
Giancarlo Taylor
Bob Williams
619-462-7982
858-453-4158
734-239-4499
619-565-2332
Advisors
Angeles Leira, Mary Hinshaw, Penelope Bledsoe, Bayardo De Murguía,
Puri Rodriguez, David Buenaventura
Sergeant at Arms
Henry Herms
Editor
Cecilia Anguera Tel: 858-278-8664
Honorary Consulate of Spain in San Diego
Telephone: 619-448-7282
[email protected]
Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles
http://www.maec.es/consulates/losangeles
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Saturday, July 16, 2016
In the Casita (Balboa Park)
From 6:00 to 9:00 PM
JULIA SAN ROMAN
Returns to the House of Spain, Casa de España with a presentation on the origins,
history and evolution of her current pictorial vision, GLIMMER
Please respond by July 10 at:
[email protected]
Tapas and wine will be offered after the presentation.
OPENING OF THE CASITA
We thank Giancarlo Taylor, Antonio Guerrero, Penelope Bledsoe, Nina Yguerabide, Angeles Leira, Regli Dee
and Nati Hoskins who as "ambassadors" helped open the casita and attend to the large audience that
visited us during the past month of June
Spanish realist painter Antonio Nicolas Reverte will be featuring his new series "Classic Movie Renditions" on Saturday,
August 6th, 2016 from Noon to 5:00 PM at the House of Spain in San Diego, located at the charming Balboa Park.
In this premiere show in the USA, I will present his oil paintings based on scenes from classic black and white films.
Anyone who appreciates the arts, whether films or fine arts, will enjoy his unique use of color and how he reveals the
essence of emotion in these dynamic movie scenes. In addition to his profound technique, his incredible talent for
capturing facial expressions and body language portrays a captivating emotional stress.
Don't miss out this opportunity if you are in San Diego!
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Phone (619) 615-3188
http://www.houseofspainsd.com
Email: [email protected]
To read the Bulletin in English, visit the web page of House of Spain/Casa de España in San Diego: http://www.houseofspainsd.com