The 29th observance of Latino Awareness Month in April will highlight the 100 year-old relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico. The month also marks the 25th anniversary of the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center (PR/LACC).

Opening ceremonies will take place at 4 p.m. on April 2 in the Konover Auditorium at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.

A symposium, "Puerto Rico's Self-Determination at a Crossroads: Statehood, Independence or Commonwealth," will feature the Hon. José Trías Monge, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico; Senator Kenneth McClintock, chair of the committee on government, federal and economic affairs of Puerto Rico; and Jeffrey Farrow, director of the White House Inter-Agency Working Group on Puerto Rico.

Prior to the symposium, Chancellor Mark Emmert and Norman Maldonado, president of the University of Puerto Rico, will participate in a ceremonial signing of a new exchange agreement between both institutions.

Following the symposium there will be dinner and entertainment featuring Raizes Taino, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

Other events planned for the month include panels, a poetry reading, the Latino Pageant and Latin Fest, featuring Frankie Negron and José Peña Suazo.

The schedule for Latino Awareness Month is as follows.

April 2 - Opening ceremony. Symposium, "Puerto Rico's Self-Determination at a Crossroads: Statehood, Independence or Commonwealth." 4 p.m., Konover Auditorium, Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.

April 9 - Poetry Reading. Martín Espada. 3:30 p.m., UConn Co-op.

April 16 - Panel. "Mainland Latino Perspectives on Puerto Rican Status and Issues of Citizenship and Cultural Identity." 4 p.m., PR/LACC.

April 16 - UConn Latino Pageant. 8 p.m., Student Union Ballroom.

April 17 - Film. Guantanamera. 7 p.m., von der Mehden Recital Hall.

April 21 - Symposium. "Racial Identity among Latinos, White, Black or What?" 2 p.m., PR/LACC.

April 25 - Latin Fest. Featuring salsa sensation Frankie Negron and merengue star José Peñ'a Suazo and La Banda Gorda. 7 p.m., Jorgensen Auditorium.

April 27 - Lecture. Matilde Melliborsky the author of Circle of Love: Our Death. Testimonies of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. 7 p.m., Thomas J. Dodd Research Center.

April 29 - Lively Wednesday. Featuring Latin music by Kalimba, along with Spanish cuisine. 11 a.m to 1 p.m., Student Union Lobby.

April 30 - Panel. "Public Opinion on the Island and the Mainland: Political Status, Citizenship, and Cultural Identity." 4 p.m., PR/LACC.

Luis Mocete