HISPANIC CULTURAL GATHERING
Speaking one language, sharing different cultures.

The Tertulia Cultural Hispana -TCH-  is a  Hispanic Cultural Gathering born from the need of creating a Hispanic cultural environment open to the community in Central Florida and free of charge to discuss, support and promote the Hispanic-American arts and culture. The mission of the TCH is to always be an open space to share culture and life.

In this cultural gathering, all members have the opportunity to discuss in Spanish every month current and historic artistic and cultural-related topics, presented by any of our members or special guests.

The TCH, founded by Colombian journalist and social communicator Miguelangel Perez in 2002, has a variety of members from the local community from different backgrounds and countries with an interest in arts and culture.

Ever since its creation, the TCH has been growing in both attendance and activities, which are coordinated by key members of the group. Each member coordinates and performs special tasks to lead all four monthly activities, including the following:

1. The Hispanic Book Gathering: Coordinated by longtime member of the group, psychologist Norma Acosta, a native of Puerto Rico, who has been volunteering to coordinate this activity since January of 2005. In this activity, all participants have the opportunity to talk about selected literary works of the Hispanic-American world. This group meets every second Tuesday of the month at Borders Bookstore Sand Lake at 7 p.m.

2. The Hispanic Culinary Gathering: Coordinated by the newest member of the group, Argentinean chef Diego Bouzas from Cake Collections, who has been volunteering to coordinate this activity since January of 2006. In this activity, Diego shares Hispanic-American recipes and shows how to prepare them. This group meets every second Thursday of the month at Borders Bookstore Sand Lake at 7 p.m.

3. The Hispanic Poetry Gathering: Coordinated by another long-time member of the group, lawyer Magda Vazquez, a native of Cuba, has been volunteering to coordinate this activity since April of 2005 by her request to create this activity due to her passion to poetry. In this activity, all participants discuss the works of a selected Hispanic-American poet. In addition, all participants have the opportunity to share their own poems and talents. This group meets every third Thursday of the month at Borders Bookstore Winter Park at 7 p.m.

4. The Talents Gathering: Coordinated by journalist Miguelangel Perez, founder and director of the TCH. This is the newest activity which serves as the monthly meeting to highlight the work of those artists, authors and other community members who want to share the result of their artistic skills. This group meets on different days of the month, depending on requests we may receive or the selection of artists or talents who may want to show, free of charge, their work to the Hispanic community in Central Florida.

All gatherings are focused to enrich the local Hispanic community, and other key members have been essential in the development of these cultural activities. One of those members has been longtime member and educator Maria Franqui, a native of Puerto Rico, who has provided support as a coordinator of the promotions and community relations efforts through her time as a volunteer with a passionate and motivating spirit.

Another key member of the volunteers is publicist and public relations specialist José David Alvarez, a native of Venezuela, who has provided support as coordinator of press and communications to help spread the word about the different activities of the TCH.

A special mention of gratitude to Borders Bookstores District Marketing Manager Mimi Sandoval. Borders has been an institutional and logistic partner of all four activities since 2002.

For more information about the Tertulia Cultural Hispana -TCH- and to become a member free of charge, please visit www.tertuliaculturalhispana.org to sign up and receive updates via e-mail. You can also call 407-539-0122.

TERTULIA CULTURAL HISPANA-TCH-

P.O. Box 1522

Orlando, FL 32802

informes@tertuliaculturalhispana.org

Last Updated: 10/03/06

Borders has been an institutional and logistic partner of all four activities since 2002.