ABOUT THE CCIE

The Celebración Cultural del Idioma Español / Cultural Celebration of the Spanish Language (CCIE) is a non-profit organization created to stimulate and promote mutual appreciation and awareness of artistic contribution made by persons of Latin-Canadian origin and other Canadians of different origins.

The CCIE was created in 1992 as part of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Europeans' arrival to America.  Through its annual Festival of Images and Words, the CCIE has been the driving force in the shaping of Latin-Canadian culture. The CCIE's infrastructure is composed entirely of volunteers, some of whom have been actively contributing their time and talents since its inception in 1992.

In preparing its annual Festival of Images and Words the CCIE works closely with institutions of higher education, with Spanish-speaking Consulates and Embassies and with many individuals and companies in both the private and public sectors.

Brief History

The CCIE was created in 1992, as part of the commemorations triggered by the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to America.  Through the Festival of Images and Words, the CCIE has been presenting annual celebrations, which include a Film Festival, art exhibitions, concerts, theatrical performances, book-launchings, literary readings, literary contests, and panel discussions on a variety of topics, ranging from that of language as a vehicle for social bonding to the historical significance of the indigenous Mexican cuisine.

Structure

Our infrastructure is composed entirely of volunteers, some of which have been contributing to the CCIE since its inception in 1992.  Through its Festival of Images and Words, the CCIE works closely with institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Toronto, Ryerson Polytechnic University and Glendon College, York University, where it is presently located.  In addition, the CCIE works closely with the Spanish Resource Centre at York University, with the Spanish-speaking Consulates in the city of Toronto, with the Hispanic Development Council, with the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) and with the Canadian Association of Literary Translators (LTAC/ATTLC).

CCIE - Annual Festival of Words and Images

One of the most important segments of the CCIE's annual Festival of Images and Words is the segment dedicated to literature and culture known as the Festival of Words.  To it converge important literary personalities from the Spanish-speaking world in the areas of poetry, fiction and literary criticism. 

The Festival of Words is a veritable literary feast spanning across languages and cultures.  Those who love and appreciate good literature enjoy accurate and artistic renditions of the classics, as well as translations of the works of contemporary Spanish-language authors in either English or French.  Conversely, Spanish-speakers familiarize themselves with the literary output of Canadians of other origins by means of the Spanish translation of their works.

The exercise of translation as facilitator for mutual understanding and appreciation is only one aspect of the Festival of Words.  In addition, there are panels on creative writing, discussions on literary topics, readings by the authors, book launchings and book signings, music and dancing, and much more.  During the Festival the audience has the opportunity to chat and mingle with prestigious authors from the Spanish-speaking world and Canada.