Caracas Athenaeum

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The Caracas Athenaeum(known in Spanish as the Ateneo de Caracas) is a cultural institution centred on the arts. It is currently located in the area of Los Caobos, Caracas, Venezuela. The building hosts two theatre auditoriums, a concert hall, a library, a gallery, a cinema, rehearsal rooms, a café, as well as numerous offices.

[edit] History

The institution was founded on August 8, 1931. The Caracas Athenaeum has always been led by women. The current president, María Teresa Castillo, has been in that position since 1958. The first president was the musician Maria Luisa Escobar. She led the Atheneum from its first headquarters, a residence property of general Vicencio Pérez Soto. In 1942, there was a change of both, president and location. The presidency went to the hands of the actress Anna Julia Rojas. The new location was the place of birth of educator Andrés Bello. It would not be until 1983 that the Caracas Athenaeum would obtain its current location. This building was designed by Gustavo Legorburo, who won the National Prize of Architecture for it that same year.

[edit] Activities of the Athenaeum

International Theatre Festival of Caracas - Created by Maria Teresa Castillo and the resident theatre director of the time, Carlos Jiménez. Considered one of the top theatre festivals of the world.

Christmas fair - has stands for artisans, silversmiths, antique dealers...

Annual painting exhibition - centred on either national or international artists.

Viewings of art house cinema.

Theatre season, resident company is Rajatabla. Famous productions include Tu País Está Féliz, Señor Presidente, Bolívar, La Muerte de García Lorca and La Charité de Vallejo.