On November 22, 1954, one of our first lectures was led by Prof. Stanley T. Williams of Yale University, on the book “The Spanish background of American literature”.

During the Christmas season of 1954, Spanish Medieval Art was presented at The Cloisters in honor of our Director, Dr. Walter W.S. Cook.

In the spring of 1955, the QSSI announced the establishment of the Research Fund for Art and Archaeology.

The purpose of the Research Fund is to encourage scholarships in Spanish art and archaeology and to further publications in these fields.

The Institute held a lecture on “The Importance of Literature in Latin American Life” led by Muna Lee, author and Cultural Officer at the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs.

The Institute held a fashion show and luncheon at the Plaza Hotel presenting the works of brilliant young Spanish designer Elio Berhanyer.

The Spanish Institute held a lecture by Vicente Granados called “Lo Gitano y lo Andaluz”. Mr. Granados offered an interesting lecture explaining the gypsy influence on the art of flamenco.

Granados’ remarks were illustrated by Domingo Alvarado, well-known “cantaor” and guitarist Diego Castellón, a renowned Roma musician.

The Institute held a lecture called “Imperial Teotihuacan” by Dr. Ignacio Bernal. Dr. Bernal, Director of the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, worked as a scholar and diplomat.

The Spanish Institute held a concert at Carnegie Hall featuring Antonio Carlos Barbosa Lima, a renowned Brazilian classical guitarist.

During the Inauguration of the Spanish House on April 26th, 1970, Spanish composer Federico Mompou performed a few of his own piano compositions and accompanied soprano singer Isabel Penagos in a ceremonial dedication of the Lucrezia Bori Auditorium.

The Hastings Gallery inauguration featured an exhibition of works by Goya.

The Spanish Institute held its most important event since its founding: a dinner in honor of Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain.

The dinner was under the Patronage of President and Mrs. Gerald Ford, Vice President and Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller, Governor Hugh Carey, and Mayor and Mrs. Abraham Beame.

The Spanish journalist Rafael Abella held a tertulia “La Prensa Española Durante la Guerra Civil” at the Institute.

The Gold Medal Gala took place at the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel. Awards were presented to the celebrate pianist, Alicia de Larrocha, and the renowned author James A. Michener.

The recipient during the Gold Medal Gala was H.R.H. Don Juan de Borbón y Battenberg, Count of Barcelona.

The Institute held a lecture “Vote, Word and Image recovering Basque culture.” The film “Tasio” was shown in conjunction with the seminar.

The Institute held the lecture “Nature and Man: A Seminar on Spain’s Environment.”

The Gold Medals were awarded to Spanish Soprano Victoria de los Angeles and John Brademas, Ph.D.

H.E. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in light of his extraordinary contributions to international relations was the sole recipient of the Gold Medal with H.R.H. Infanta Doña Cristina de Borbón and President and Mrs. George Bush in attendance.

The Institute held the exhibition “Mexican muralists and prints.”

The Institute held “The Alhambra,” a symposium co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Spain and the Spain 92 Foundation.

The 1992 Gold Medal Gala awardees were Philippe de Montebello, Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Paloma O’Shea Botín, Chairman and Founder of the Isaac Albeñiz Foundation.

The 2001 Gold Medals were awarded to Plácido Arango, Dave H. Williams and Reba White Williams.

A special Honorary Gold Medal was awarded to Rudolph Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City, in recognition for his inspiring leadership after the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

The Institute sponsored “I Knew Frida Kahlo,” a lecture by Rosamond Bernier, Art Historian, Writer and Lecturer.

In the Presence of H.R.H the Infanta Doña Cristina Gold Medal were awarded to Santiago Calatrava, Architect, Engineer and Sculptor; and Richard Meier, Architect.

The Institute held a recital by Basque Soprano Amaya Arberas, known for her stirring performances of zarzuelas. Piano accompaniment by Earl Buys.

The Gold Medal Gala Awards honored The Duchess of Alba, Mercedes T. Bass, Josep Esteve, and J. Pepe Fanjul.

The Institute held “America’s Giraldas: Moorish Spain in the United States,” a lecture by Richard Kagan, Author and Professor of History and Romance Languages and Literatures, Johns Hopkins University.

The Gold Medals were awarded to Isak Andic, Josep Baselga, M.D., Joan Massagué, M.D., and Diane von Furstenberg.

The Institute celebrated the Spanish role in first bringing chocolate to Europe in the 16th century. The judging panel included chocolate experts, chefs, food writers, journalists, sommeliers, and other food experts and dignitaries.

The 2012 Gold Medal Gala honored Norman R. Foster, Dr. Elena Ochoa, Mr. Luis A. Ubiñas, Mr. Gonzalo Ulloa.

The Institute co-sponsored the publication and presentation of a commemorative book to honor Lía Schwartz, distinguished Professor of Hispanic Literature at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York

The first Sophia Award for Excellence took place, honoring Plácido Domingo, Spanish Ópera Singer and Elena Barraquer, Spanish Opthalmologist.