Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Mari Carmen Ramírez, and Ignacio Torras were honored for their outstanding contributions to the international appreciation of the Spanish-speaking world.
Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) – the New York-based non-profit founded in 1954 to promote American interest in the art, culture, customs, language, literature and history of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world – held its annual Sophia Awards for Excellence gala for the first time in Texas at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) in the presence of the Institute’s Patroness of Honor, Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain.
QSSI supporters, arts patrons, philanthropists, civic leaders and Spanish delegates from around the world gathered to honor four remarkable leaders in their respective fields who have contributed to the international appreciation of Spain and the Americas through their time, expertise and innate wisdom.
Recipients of the 2023 Sophia Awards for Excellence – Sophia, meaning wisdom in Greek – included eight-time Grammy Award winning Cuban-American singer, songwriter, author, actress and businesswoman Gloria Estefan and her music producer, manager and husband Emilio Estefan, credited with paving the way for the crossover explosion of Latin music; MFAH Wortham Curator of Latin American Art and founding Director of the International Center for the Arts of the Americas, Mari Carmen Ramírez, named one of “the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America” in 2005 by TIME magazine; and Tricon Energy Founder and CEO Ignacio Torras, longtime Houston arts patron and owner of the acclaimed Spanish restaurants BCN Taste & Tradition and MAD. They were each given Menina Award Sculptures by Spanish artist Felipao.
During the awards ceremony, Her Majesty highlighted that, “For the first time we are gathered here in Houston, Texas, one of the most important urban areas of the country, and probably the most diverse, inclusive and international city of the U.S.A. And, also, a place where English and Spanish languages coexist in the history of this beautiful state.”
ABOUT THE QUEEN SOFÍA SPANISH INSTITUTE (QSSI)
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) is a New York-based nonprofit corporation founded in 1954 by a group of American Hispanophiles who sought to stimulate American interest in the art, culture, customs, language, literature and history of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world. QSSI keeps this vision current by striving to share the contributions of Spanish-speakers to the history and culture of the United States and by showcasing the excellence of the Spanish-speaking world in numerous fields so that lasting ties of friendship may be formed, mutual understanding promoted, and bonds of peace strengthened.
See full photo album from the gala here
Thank you to the Host Committee of the 2023 Sophia Awards for Excellence and to the Houston Friends of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute for joining us for a wonderful evening.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ignacio and Isabel Torras for generously underwriting the dinner portion of the evening, and we thank our sponsors and partners for their support of the Institute.
