Can Culture Boost Investment in Puerto Rico?
Our speaker on Tuesday, September 10th will be Maximiano Valdez, Artistic Director for the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. He will focus on what culture can do for a city (and, in our case, an island), focusing on music in particular, and he will make the case to us, as Rotarians, as to why we need to support culture.
Why? Because culture is a big part of our island. It could be a selling point to the rest of the world and help put us "on the map". Cities that thrive and are talked about are those that are not only financially solvent, but who also have a rich and active heritage - which San Juan does. But is it ever used as a promotional feature? The Tourism Company only uses our beaches to promote Puerto Rico as a tourist destination. Ours is the only island where, in 24 hours, you can go from a beach...to zip lining in one of the world's only tropical rain forests...to a classical concert/opera or festival from a 55 year old orchestra...to the theater...to a 5 star dinner.
Maestro Valdes is also pushing hard for the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra to participate in recordings and tours. Our culture helps to form the worldwide opinion of our island...not just our beaches! A surviving, thriving culture will help to sell this island to the rest of the world for investment!