PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The city of Brotherly Love will open its arms to embrace Chilean culture from November 13 - 21 as Philadelphia celebrates the sights, sounds and flavors of Chile in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Chilean American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia (CACC).

"Chile and Philadelphia have a long history in trade, as Philadelphia is the main port for Chilean fresh fruit exports into the United States. Sixty million cases of Chilean fruit comes through the Philadelphia region into the United States," said Ambassador Mariano Fernandez, of the Embassy of Chile in the United States. "This relationship has created thousands of jobs for Philadelphians."

"For the past 20 years, Philadelphia has seen the growth of trade with Chile, with the many products brought into the U.S. through our city's ports, in large part thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "This week we will celebrate the culture of Chile with a great array of events, exhibits and lectures around the city. We are excited to join in this anniversary celebration and look forward to many more years of trade and exchange with this vibrant nation."

Events range from performances to discussions with Chilean government authorities, a film festival and an art exhibit, all of which will celebrate Chilean culture. Another very important part of Chilean culture that many Americans -- and Philadelphians -- are familiar with is the gastronomy of Chile.

"We are pleased to offer Philadelphians -- especially the city's food community -- a fine menu of Chilean foods, wines and pisco sours in our week-long offerings at the Restaurant School," said Alejandro Cerda, Director of the Trade Commission of Chile in New York, ProChile. "Many people come to know a country and its culture through its food and we invite all of Philadelphia to come and experience all Chile has to offer."

The Week's Activities

5:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13 - Viva Chile in Philadelphia! Kick-off Ceremony

At City Hall, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will make a proclamation naming this week in November the "Viva Chile in Philadelphia!" week for Philadelphia. He will be joined by Chilean Ambassador Mariano Fernandez who will honor Mayor Nutter with the Orden de Bernardo O'Higgins, Grado Comendador, Chile's highest commendation for non-Chilean citizens. The award, which is approved by the President of Chile, is the first such commendation from Chile a Philadelphia Mayor has ever received.

Chilean Art in the 1960s Art Exhibit -- on display from November 14-25 This exhibit of 15 paintings from acclaimed avant-garde Chilean artists is the inaugural exhibit for the Americas Institute of Architects. The paintings depict the artists' avant-garde views on the cultural and social reality of Chile in the 1960s. The works are from artists Federico Assler, Jose Balmes, Gracia Barrios and others and take inspiration from the Beatles and Chileans Violeta Parra and Victor Jara. Exhibits on display at The Americas Institute of Architects Philadelphia, 1218 Arch Street.

Chilean Gastronomic Week at the Restaurant School -- November 15-21

A week of Chilean aromas, meals and flavors will celebrate Chile's gastronomic presence in Philadelphia with special menus highlighting Chilean wines, pisco sours and various Chilean gourmet foods. The Courtyard Restaurant at the Restaurant School, 4207 Walnut Street, will be serving the Chilean menu for dinners from Saturday, November 15 - Friday, November 21.

3:00 p.m. Friday, November 14 -- Cooking seminar with Chef Pilar Rodriguez Chilean Chef Pilar Rodriguez will be offering a cooking demonstration for the students of the Restaurant School, 4207 Walnut Street, featuring distinct and delicious products from Chile. Open to students of the Restaurant School and media only.

11:00 a.m. Monday, November 17 - Meeting of the Presidents of Chilean Chambers of Commerce in the United States

The five Chilean and American Chambers of Commerce in the United States -- Atlanta, Miami, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. -- will hold a planning meeting in Philadelphia, home of the largest Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce in the United States. Meeting to be held at the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce in Philadelphia, 1234 Market St.

6:30 p.m. Monday, November 17 -- Classical Concert at the Curtis Institute of Music

The Curtis Institute of Music, one of the world's leading music schools, educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists at the highest professional level. On this night, Curtis President Roberto Diaz, a Chilean-American and world-renowned violist, will perform with students as part of the Viva Chile in Philadelphia Week.

Noon Tuesday, November 18 -- "The Chilean Economy in the 21st Century" Lunch and Lecture

Jose De Gregorio, Governor of the Central Bank of Chile, and Charles Plosser, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia will discuss both the current economic conditions in the United States and Chile and Chile's increasing investment in human capital and productivity. The luncheon is co-hosted by the Global Interdependence Center. Held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, 10 Independence Mall, #1. Media and invited guests only.

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 18 -- Chilean Central Bank Governor Discussion at Wharton School

The Latin Club at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is proud to welcome to its school the Governor of the Central Bank of Chile, Jose de Gregorio, who will address Wharton postgraduate students. Held at G06 Jon M. Huntsman Hall. For Wharton students and media only.

7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 18 -- Chilean Film Festival Kick-Off

The three-day Chilean Film Festival will kick off with a special viewing of the film, "Machuca." One of the film's screenwriters, Roberto Brodsky, will be on hand to discuss the film, which is a narration of a child's life during a turbulent political time in Chile during the 1970s. Ticket sales and all showings are at the International House, Ibrahim Theater, 3701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Additional films shown throughout the week will be:

-- "Play" - Richly textured and imbued with a modern poetic sensibility, Alicia Scherson's very personal first feature is a delicate urban drama, examined through the lens of heartbreak and determination. 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19

-- "Scrambled Beer" - Based on a strange Chilean beverage, the main character travels in time in a mind altering experience. This box-office hit is an entertaining tale spiked with Chilean cumbia and rock that has a surprisingly dark final twist. 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 20

11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 19 - Restaurant School Student Lecture on Chilean Wines and Food

Wine & Spirits Consultant to Gourmet Magazine Michael Green has worked in the beverage trade for more than 20 years as an educator, marketer, importer, writer, consultant and retailer. He will be sharing this knowledge, and insights on how best to pair popular Chilean wines with meals, to students of The Restaurant School, 4207 Walnut St. Media and students of the Restaurant School only.

6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19 - Literary Meeting at The Athenaeum

The Anthanaeum, one of the great literary foundations in America, is pleased to welcome Chilean novelist and writer Carla Guelfenbeim. Guelfenbeim, an upcoming Chilean writer, has published many novels distributed throughout Latin America. She will speak about being a female writer in Chile and her cultural influences of Nobel Prize Winners and Chileans Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral. Held at 219 S. Sixth Street. Open to media and invited guests only.

Noon Thursday, November 20 - 11th Annual "Friend of Chile" Award Luncheon

The Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce will grant Ms. Ruth Ann Minner, Governor of Delaware, the 11th "Friend of Chile" Award in recognition of her support of the country and the business relationship between the state of Delaware and the government of Chile. The luncheon will also recognize that 2008 is the 20th anniversary of the Philadelphian-American Chamber of Commerce and will be held at the Ballroom at the Union League in Philadelphia. To learn more about this event, or to get tickets, please call 215-790-3627 or visit www.caccgp.com

5:00 p.m. Friday, November 21 - Claudia Acuna Performance at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

A pure, compelling and original voice hailed by the L.A. Times as an "instrument of wonder," Chilean singer/songwriter/arranger Claudia Acuna draws upon the culture of her homeland by fusing Latin rhythms with her instinctive jazz sensibilities. Main Hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Tickets available for purchase at the PMA.

Viva Chile in Philadelphia! is an event organized by the Embassy of Chile in Washington D.C., Trade Commission of Chile in New York - ProChile, the Consulate of Chile in Philadelphia, and the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia (CACC) in order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the CACC.

For more information on Viva Chile in Philadelphia, please visit www.chileinphilly.com.

SOURCE ProChile