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June 30th, 2014

Sr. Dn. Jonay Ivan Guerra Romero

Technician/English Teacher

Calle Magado, 16

35250. Ingenio, Islas Canarias

SPAIN

Dear Jonay,

I have noted with great enthusiasm your passion for the preservation of the heritage and

culture of the Canary Islands. It is in large measure that precious legacy which binds together

the far distant settlements of the former Spanish Empire throughout the world, even today in

the 21st century. Colonists from the Canary Islands, particularly the modern cities of Ingenio

and Aguimes, founded St. Bernard Civil Parish between 1779 and 1783. Descendants of the

Serpas, Estupinan, Artiles, Perez and Quintana families are still numerous in St. Bernard.

The Civil Parish of St. Bernard entered into sister city agreements with Ingenio and

Aguimes in 2002. Domingo Gonzalez Romero visited St. Bernard Parish during his tenure as

mayor of Ingenio in 2005. David Castellano and Los Coros y Danzas de Ingenio performed in

Los Islenos Fiesta 2004. A delegation of school children from St. Bernard Parish was about to

embark on a trip to Ingenio to study Spanish, the history and culture of the Canaries when

Hurricane Katrina struck this region August 29th, 2005. With the energy of this community

shifted to rebuilding following the total destruction wrought by Katrina, our focus had to shift

here as we rebuilt/restored the Museum Complex. We were thrilled to have Jacinto Gonzalez

and Los Artesanos from Ingenio perform during Fiesta 2006, only six months after Katrina.

Ours was the first festival in St. Bernard following the hurricane and we all remain profoundly

appreciative of this gesture.

Please plan to attend Fiesta 2015, scheduled for March 7th and 8th, 2015 in St. Bernard

Parish at Los Islenos Museum Complex. Your transportation, food and accommodations will be

provided for upon your arrival in Louisiana. Your great interest in St. Bernard merits your

presence here. You might choose to arrive in Louisiana March 5th and remain here through

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March 19th. An itinerary will be planned for you which will include participation in Fiesta 2015

and lecturing in Chalmette High School, in addition to visiting historic archives and sites which

relate to the Canarian historic presence in St. Bernard.

I look forward to meeting you and fervently hope that you can arrange to visit us here in

Louisiana. Accept my very best wishes!

Sincerely yours,

William de Marigny Hyland

Parish Historian/Manager, Los Islenos Museum Complex