XAYMACA: Life in Spanish
Jamaica
1494-1655
GRAND OPENING: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009, 11 A.M.
Chairman of Council, Institute of Jamaica, Prof. Barry Chevannes escorts Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain from the Exhibition Gallery after their viewing of the exhibition, Xaymaca: Life in Spanish Jamaica at the Institute of Jamaica on February 17, 2009.
Xaymaca: Life in Spanish Jamaica exhibition will open to the public on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 11: 00 a.m. This exhibition is a tribute to the Spanish reconnaissance currently taking place in Jamaica culminating with the two-day state visit of Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain to the island from February 17-18, 2009.
Queen Sofia (right) congratulates little Juanhalee Saddler of the St. Josephs Infant School after receiving a bouquet from the student at the unveiling of the exhibition, Xaymaca: Life in Spanish Jamaica on February 17, 2009 at the Institute of Jamaica for viewing by the King & Queen of Spain on their two-day state visit to the island.
Their Majesties toured the exhibition, which was unveiled for their viewing on February 17, 2009.
The exhibition has on display the magnificent stone sculpture from New Seville, original Taino and Spanish objects plus reproductions of navigational tools and documents from the period of the Spanish control of Jamaica. XAYMACA: Life in Spanish Jamaica 1494-1655 tells the story of the Spanish experience in Jamaica from the time of Columbus' arrival in 1494 until the time of the island's complete conquest by the English in 1660.
An accompanying full-colour catalogue features articles by Professor Patrick Bryan of the University of the West Indies, Dr. Robyn Woodward of Simon Fraser University and Dr. James Robertson of the University of the West Indies. The exhibition has been curated by Dr. Rebecca Tortello and Dr. Jonathan Greenland.
XAYMACA: Life in Spanish Jamaica 1494-1655 has been made possible through the support of The Embassy of Spain in Jamaica, The Jamaica National Heritage Trust, The Ministry of Culture of Spain, The Archive of the Indies, Seville, The Museum of America, Madrid, The Jamaica Archives, The Museo Naval, Madrid, and The Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports.
All are invited to attend.
Queen Sofia of Spain signs the guestbook after viewing Xaymaca: Life in Spanish Jamaica exhibition previewed by the King and Queen of Spain at the Exhibition Gallery, Institute of Jamaica on February 17, 2009 on their two-day state visit to the island from February 17-18, 2009.
From left to right- Dr. Rebecca Tortello, chairman of the Board of Management, Museums of History & Ethnography provides an explanation about an item on display to King Juan Carlos I, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, Fellow of the Institute of Jamaica and Queen Sofia as they toured the exhibition, Xaymaca: Life in Spanish Jamaica unveiled for viewing by Their Majesties on their two-day state visit to the island.