Ambassador Jaime Lacadena, Consul General of Spain in Miami, presented, on behalf of Spanish King Felipe, the Cross of Officer of the Royal Order of Isabel la Católica, to Aida Levitan, Ph.D., President of ArtesMiami. The award ceremony took place at the Coral Gables consular residence, during a reception hosted by the Consul General, Marquis of La Cadena, and his wife, Macarena López-Roberts, Marchioness of la Torre Hermosa.

Created by King Ferdinand VII in 1815, the Order includes several ranks. The Officer’s Cross of this Order is awarded to individuals who have provided significant service to the nation of Spain. Ambassador Lacadena described Dr. Levitan’s many activities benefiting Spain, such as directing the Hispanic Heritage Festival, the 1994 and 1995 Fairs of Seville in Miami and the 1997 Fair of Spain in Miami. Her doctorate also specialized in Spanish Golden Age literature.
At the event Miami Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine-Cava spoke to local leaders in Spanish and recognized Dr. Levitan’s cultural work on behalf of Miami residents. Since 1995 ArtesMiami has donated more than $2.5 milliion in cash grants and complimentary marketing services to artists and cultural organizations in Miami Dade.

Dr. Levitan spoke emotionally about her love for Spain, its literature and art, and about the history of Isabella the Catholic Queen, whom she described as a “strong woman” who chose her husband, broke the mold of the era, protected artists and writers, and demonstrated her physical and moral courage.