PANORAMA LATINO AMERICANO (PLA) is a weekly television show broadcast in Spanish or English as the subject or talent requires. This program covers a wide range of subjects concerning Latin America, Latin Americans residing in the USA, and Latinos living in Thurston County and surrounding areas. PLA began in September of 1989 as a biweekly television program broadcast in English on Channel 22 (TCTV). In 1991 PLA became a weekly show alternating Spanish and English programs, and broadcast three times per week --Sunday 8.00 P.M., Tuesdays12.30 A.M., and Fridays 3.00 P.M. )

PANORAMA LATINO AMERICANO is an open forum for the Latino/Hispanic segment of the population residing in Thurston County, and for those interested in issues concerning this large ethnic group. One of PLA's main goals is to serve as a link between the reality of Latin America and; Latinos living in the USA, Latin descendants born in the USA, and the Thurston County community. Between 1989 and now, over 350 televisions shows have been produced by PLA dealing with the culture, history, religion, literature, folklore, arts and politics of Latin America. PLA has produced many shows about Latinos in the United States, and in Thurston County.

The producers of PLA are aware that the concept of "Hispanic" is not a homogeneous classification. People from either Mexican or Spanish background are commonly lumped together by those who assume all Latinos, whether native born U.S. citizens or people coming to the U.S.from places ranging all the way from South of the Río Grande to Patagonia, are all the same. Latin Americans are all immigrants, uprooted from somewhere in the world and settled in an inadequately named, "New World." These immigrants all represent diversity and are, without exception, the bearers of a family of cultures: Indians, Europeans, Africans, Asians etc. "The new world", would not exist without the heroic biographies, the romantic languages, and the dreams of their worldly ancestors. A unique multicultural mosaic exists primarily in Latin America created out of peoples ethnic, political, historical, environmental, geographic, and regional cultural differences. Many of these peoples later immigrated (for political or economic reasons), were annexed (as with some Mexican territories), or reigned in under political treaties (like Puerto Rico). Various aspects of the Latin American culture mixed and began to interact with other cultures of the USA.

For eleven consecutive years PLA has gathered the most important elements of Latino/Hispanic cultures as described above. PLA has compiled an important library of unique artistic materials, testimonies, and interviews created through production of regular weely broadcasts. PLA celebrates the Hispanic/Latino Community in the Thurston County area and in the USA. In this respect, PLA is a momentous videographic testimonial resource, and an important contributor to the Humanities. Many television shows about theater (street and peasant theater), dances, poetry, murals and graffiti, history and politics, have been produced during the past eight years.

PLA enjoys a positive affirmative response from both English and Spanish speaking people in the area. PLA has received many calls expressing thanks for what we are doing, and requests for encores for many of these unique programs. PLA receives suggestions from the community regarding topics and talent for future productions. Without a doubt, PLA has filled a cultural void felt among inhabitants of the county. Schools, churches, colleges, community and state organizations also benefit from our productions. Folkloric programs from the Andes, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, for example, are used --free of charge-- in our local schools in their regular Spanish classes or classes dealing with multiculturalism and ethnic minorities in the USA.

Another important contribution provided by PLA occurs in its special programming which contains exclusive material obtained through our personal sources and correspondents in Latin America. For example, PLA's coverage of the (February) 1990 national elections in Nicaragua. Exclusive footage about the participation of former President Jimmy Carter and former Senator Dan Evans in the election was filmed by our own crews. Similar coverage has been effected in El Salvador, Guatemala, and most currently, Chile and Mexico. In addition, interview programs (talk shows) with well known personalities from Latin America, for instance the interview with Uruguayan writer, Eduardo Galeano, and the poet, songwriter and singer Luis Mejía Godoy from Nicaragua, The folkloric ballad of Universidad Veracruzana of Mexico, Grupo Illapu, Inti Illimani, Quilapayún from Chile, Grupo Sukay from Bolivia and California have all given performances which have been aired on PLA.

If you are interested in joining us call me at 866-6000 ext.6740


 

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Site created by:
Jorge Gilbert

 

    Site created by:
Jorge Gilbert
PANORAMA LATINO AMERICANO