Our History

On July 4, 1946, the closing day of the XIX Congress of Pax Romana, in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain,with the presence of almost all the Latin American republics (missed Costa Rica, Honduras and the Dominican Republic), eighty two Congress people decided to create a new institution, according to the immediate demands of hispanoamericanismo, and founded an Ibero-American Cultural Institute, chaired by Pablo Antonio Cuadra. A few months later the project was assumed by the Spanish State and the Institute of Hispanic Culture (ICH) was created.

Parallel to the creation of ICH in Madrid, similar centers are generated in different provinces of Spain and Latin America. These centers carry legal personality, independent resources and full autonomy. Its aims coincide with those of Madrid while maintaining regional aspects. Among these centers the Catalan Institute of Hispanic Culture, known today as the Catalan Institute for Iberoamerican Cooperation is created.

From Catalonia, Spain were Dr. David Cardust, Dr. Carlos Vallbona, Dr. John Olive, and Carlos Rusca, who think in embracing in Houston the concept of the IHC created in Catalonia. These professionals joined Dr. Enrique Iglesias, originally from Madrid, and Pedro Sanchez, from province of Navarra, Spain and US citizen, and founded in 1965 the Institute of Hispanic Culture based in Houston. It was precisely Pedro Sanchez who wrote the By-laws of the new organization. After the election of Latino Presidents like Benjamin Suarez, Argentinian, the institute put into practice in Houston its extension to Hispano-America.

During more than 50 years, several Board of directors have carried on the presence of the Institute of Hispanic Culture based in Houston. We invite you to maintain that presence and pursue our charitable, educational and scientific purposes as well as to promote and disseminate Hispanic arts and Culture. 

Join us as member at www.ihch.org

MORE HISTORY

The Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston, Inc. was formed in 1965 but not officially incorporated as a non for profit organization in the State of Texas until 1967. At first, it was associated with the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Spain, but later, at the suggestion of Dr. Cardus, the first appointed president, the organization was independent so that it could include all the Hispanic nations of the world. In 1968, Dr. Pedro C. Caram was the first membership elected president of the IHCH.

The Colombus Day Galas of 1964, organized and chaired by Dr. Iglesias, and 1965, Co-chaired by Dr. Iglesias and Mrs. Pedro and Dorothy Caram, were the inspiration of the future galas of the IHCH, since the proceeds from both galas were dedicated to scholarships to students of Hispanic arts.

The first scholarship was awarded to Ron Howard to study classical Spanish guitar in Spain and the second to a student artist to study art in Argentina. The galas have been the principal fundraisers of the funds for the operation of the IHCH, including the cultural and scholarship programs. 2016 celebrated 50 years of the founding of the IHCH and the official Noche de las Américas Gala.

Festival Folklorico: Día de la Hispanidad which is performed at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park began in 1983 under the Presidency of Dr. Dorothy Caram with the special guest appearance of Mario Moreno “Cantiflas”. A matching Miller grant was received by IHCH to begin the funding of the yearly productions. Matching funds were raised from foundations, businesses corporations and individuals and a magazine program of ads was distributed free at the event.

The mission of the Día de la Hispanidad was to inspire local Hispanics to establish folkloric music and dance groups of their countries of origin. As professionally as possible, the annual event would feature an honored Hispanic worldwide star of stage, TV, radio or music and the performance of several local folkloric dance groups. In 2001, the event began contracting musical and dance groups that sometimes were recommended by the Managing Director of Miller Theatre, Cissy Segal Davis.

RECORDS

  • PO Box 20387 Houston 77025
  • First Noche de las Americas Gala
  • (Nov. 7) Moved to Keith Jackson Building- 1603 Drew St.
  • (First IHCH Budget Established)
  • (Feria del Libro- Spain/HISD)
  • (May) Moved to 2102 Austin Suite 107
  • First Miller Outdoor Theatre – Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
  • Mario Moreno Cantinflas
  • (Members trip to Dallas/Ft.Worth Goya/Greco Exhibits- First Goodwill Houston/Spain Trip Galicia)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (in Collaboration with Club Mexico Bello)
  • Pedro Vargas Honored guest star and numerous Folkloric Groups of Houston.
  • Moved to warehouse 5645 Hillcroft S.102,off Harwin
  • No Festival- Miller Closed for repairs.
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Argentina Special Guest: Libertad Lamarque)
  • Moved to warehouse-2930 A Rogerdale off HWy 8
  • Folkloric Festival (Spain..Special Guest Rocio Jurado)
  • Folkloric Festival
  • Moved to 5 Chelsea Blvd. off Montrose Blvd.77006
  • (Silver Anniversary IHCH celebrated)
  • Folkloric Festival
  • Folkloric Festival (Puerto Rico-Shining Star of the Caribbean-Ednita Nazario, Special Guest Star.
  • Moved to 3400 Bissonnet Suite 135 Houston 77005
  • Folkloric Festival (A Salute to Colombus-Elizabeth Lanier, Lauri Lindemulder- pianists, Peggi Rivera, guitarist folkloric groups of Texas.)
  • (2nd Houston-Spain Goodwill trip)
  • Folkloric Festival Honoring Panama-Nomra Norma Zenteno and Secret
  • Folkloric Festival (A Tribute to Chile: Los Huasos Quincheros)
  • Folkloric Festival (A Salute to Colombia: Fernando Lizarazo y su Conjunto “Alma Llanera”)
  • Moved to 3315 Sul Ross – Own Building
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (A Salute to the Republic of El Salvador-Alvaro Torres)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (A Salute to the Republic of Peru- Tania Libertad.)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Salute o Brazil Jesus Fichamba Honored Guest)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Hispanics in Houston, Harris County and USA. Joe Lopez y Nueva Imagen Mazz, Tribute to Anthony Quinn Ball Guest: Rafael)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Jose A. Diaz founder of Caliente Latin American Ensemble)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Estampas Portenas: Tango Fire–Honoring Maria Victoria Cervantes)
  • Folkloric Festival (Tiempo Libre and Irma Infante- Tribute to Pedro Infante)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (25th annual -Marco Antonio Muniz “El Lujo de Mexico”)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Paco Pena: A Compas Flamenco Music/Dance Spain)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Guest Star Christian Castro)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (La Jota Around the World, Associacio Cultural L’Alima de Betera, Spain.(In conjunction with la Casa de Espana)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Forever Tango Tribute to Marcelo Marini)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (A Tribute to Colombia Grupo Niche)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (30th Anniversary Siudy: Between Worlds-Entre Mundos)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Celebrating Central America-La Autentic Santanero de 50th anniversary of IHCH Gildardo Zarate Mendez)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Cuba -Special Guest Star Aymee Nuviola)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Puerto Rico Plena Libre)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Argentina Alma Salvaje)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Venezuela: Through Your Eyes)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Virtual Program)
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day – Día de la Hispanidad (Tributo a la Hispanidad  con Jorge Luis Chacín).
  • Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day – Día de la Hispanidad (Tributo a la Hispanidad con Magic Juan).