Association of Teachers of Spanish’ launched at the Embassy of Spain, New Delhi
New Delhi. The official launch of the ‘Association of Teachers of Spanish’ (APEI) took place at the premises of the Embassy of Spain with the primary mission of promoting the Spanish language in India and the vibrant cultures of the Spanish-speaking countries.
The Association of Teachers of Spanish Organization (Associación de Professores de Español de India or APEI) unites board members from prestigious institutions including Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU), Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi Public School (DPS), Springdales School Dhaula Kuan and Ramjas School Pusa Road.
During the inaugural ceremony, Dr. Gaurav Kumar, President of APEI and Chairman of the Department of Spanish Language, JNU, expressed his vision for the association. “The association will serve as the collective voice for all Spanish language teachers working in universities, schools and private institutions,” he said. “We aim to promote cooperation between embassies, academic institutions, the Cervantes Institute, think tanks and other NGOs.”
Dr. Kumar emphasized the association’s commitment to cultural education, saying, “Our goal is to expose students to the rich literary and cultural heritage of the Spanish-speaking world from an early age. Our curriculum features works by famous authors such as Pablo Neruda and Federico. García Lorca, and players like Messi, Rafael Nadal, Shakira and Ricky Martin to highlight the Spanish influence in the fields of sports, music and Bollywood.
Underlining the importance of this initiative, His Excellency Jose Maria Ridao, Ambassador of Spain to India, said, “Spanish is not just the language of countries but of communities. The support and cooperation of our colleagues in Latin American countries has been invaluable. “This cooperation will provide stability and depth to our historical, political and business ties through language and culture.”
The event saw a strong presence of Latin American embassies in India. The ambassadors of Mexico, Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, as well as other members of the diplomatic corps from Cuba, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela, expressed their enthusiasm and commitment to the initiative. He reaffirmed his dedication to supporting the Association in promoting Hispanism in India and facilitating cultural exchange between our regions.
The launch of the Association of Teachers of Spanish (APEI) is an important signal that India and the Spanish-speaking regions move forward through mutual understanding and cooperation towards strengthening cultural and educational ties.
