LOS ANGELES, CA – November 23, 2016 – Nicaragua's long literary past comes to life in 2017 with celebrations and events for visitors, including festivals and literary symposiums commemorating this nation's most revered cultural and literary figure, Rubén Darío.  Visitors are welcome to immerse themselves and celebrate in Nicaragua's proud literary heritage and discover Nicaragua's beauty, which largely influenced Darío in his works. Many events and visitor offerings in 2017 will highlight Rubén Darío's contributions to 'Nica' and Latin American literature and identity.
 
 “Darío is considered one of the greatest Spanish-language poets of all times, and is one of Nicaragua's most revered national figures,” according to Ana Carolina Garcia, Director of Marketing and Promotions for Visit Nicaragua(INTUR).  “The many celebratory events taking place from the beginning of January 2017 are the perfect opportunity to visit the places he called home and discover Nicaragua's rich culture and landscapes on the occasion of his 150th birthday”, commented Garcia.
 
Rubén Darío was born on January 18, 1867 in the southern region of the town of Matagalpa (Nicaragua), is now known as Ciudad Darío. His figure emerged in the 1900s as the father and leader of the Spanish American Modernist movement. The influential Nicaraguan poet, journalist and diplomat who was once praised as “The prince of Castilian letters”, worked for several years as a correspondent in Latin America and Spain. His masterpiece, Cantos de Vida y Esperanza (1905, Songs of Life and Hope) is the culmination of the author's technical experimentation.
 
Nicaragua is hosting several key events celebrating the life and work of the outstanding poet, and features a variety of visitor attractions in the towns of Matagalpa, Leon and Managua:
 
Matagalpa
 
Ciudad Darío: Named after the Matagalpa's most famous resident, Rubén Darío, this city is home to Casa Rubén Darío, as well as a variety of lodging and dining options. Local handicraft shops and cultural events are some of the features.
Rubén Darío's Birth Place & Home: Declared a national monument in 1943, Darío's birth home was restored to its original condition in 1999. The house has been decorated with objects from the 19th century and it features photos, paintings and objects with information that tell about the author's life and work. Open Tuesdays - Fridays: 8 AM - 4.30 PM; Weekends: 9 AM - 4 PM; Museum Entry fee: $4 USD.
Dariana Festival - Taking place during two weeks, from January 5 – 18, 2017, different activities pay homage to Rubén Darío. Regional and international poetry recitals, book presentations, art expositions, performances, and other works of art are presented during the festival. Parades and decorated floats are organized and a “Dariana” muse is selected.
 
León
Basílica Catedral de La Asunción: The largest cathedral in Central America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral, more commonly referred to as “La Catedral de León” was built in 1947 and features the Tomb of Rubén Darío. Entrance fee: $3 USD.
Rubén Darío Museum in León:  Darío's time in Matagalpa was short-lived, as his family relocated to León just 40 days after his birth. It is in this home where Darío spent most of his childhood and early teens. The home was converted into a museum in 1964. Tuesday - Saturday: 8 AM to 5 PM;
Closed for lunch: 12 PM - 2 PM, Sunday:  8 AM to 12 PM. Entrance fee: voluntary.
15th Annual International Dariana Poetry Symposium: This internationally attended symposium occurs between January 15 and 21, 2017 and will welcome exhibitors, poets and literary fans and intellectuals to congregate and study the works of Rubén Darío in his childhood town of León.
 
Managua
Casa Museo Rubén Darío on Paseo Xolotlan: Opened in late November 2015, Casa Museo Rubén Darío is a smaller replica of Darío's childhood home found in Ciudad Darío. Featuring other interesting exhibits, including a look at the daily life in Managua prior to the disastrous 1972 earthquake, the visitor complex also features exhibits on Sandino and a replica of Gregorio Sandino's home, father of the Nicaraguan revolutionary Augusto Calderón Sandino.
 
In addition to these attractions, various other monuments, including Managua's Rubén Darío National Theatre and Historical Monument to Rubén Darío can be found in the capital city.

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ABOUT VISIT NICARAGUA (INTUR):
INTUR (Instituto Nicaragüense de Turismo) is the Nicaraguan government agency responsible for promoting tourism in Nicaragua, both internationally and domestically. Its mission is to promote the sustainable development of Nicaragua's tourism sector, by strengthening Nicaragua's potential as a touristic destination through efficient policies, strategies and programs, with the ultimate goal to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the Nicaraguan People.  Activities of INTUR include advertising, PR and media programs, trade shows and industry programs, consumer promotions, online communications and consumer research.
For more information, visit http://www.visitnicaragua.com/.

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