The origins of October 12 celebrations, go back to the beginning of the last century. In 1913, Faustino Rodríguez San Pedro (a wealthy and influential Spanish businessman and lawyer, and at that time Chairman of an organization called the Iberoamerican Union) proposed that this date (which was already a holiday in many South American countries and in Zaragoza in honor of the Pilar Virgin) be called Fiesta de la Raza literally Festival of the Racen.
October 12, 1492 marks the emergence of a large Spanish-speaking community of more than 350 million people who share language, values, and traditions.
More than 500 people enjoyed a spectacular evening hosted by Raúl Morodo Leonciothe Spanish ambassador to Venezuela and his wife Cristina, at their magnificent residence in Caracas Country Club in honor of this glorious day. This year’s ball provided a memorable evening of fun, and good conversation, attended by members of the diplomatic corps, leaders from Caracas’ business and cultural community, and even a representation of the royal house, Don Luis Alfonso Borbón, Duke of Anjou, and his wife Doña María Margarita, who attended the elegant gala. Guests enjoyed the wonderful Spanish cuisine flavors as the famous paella, and the tasty Rioja wines worked out perfectly to make toasts until the late night hours, when this magnificent celebration came to a close.




By Luisa Osorio
Special to The Journal
Photos by José Antonio León