On December 17, at the Center for Social Action through Music, the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela received the María Paula Alonso de Ruiz Martínez Award from the namesake foundation whose purpose is to foster artistic expressions.

The award  was received by maestro José Antonio Abreu, founding director of El Sistema, who was accompanied by members of the Fesnojiv, namely Eduardo Méndez, Executive Director; Valdemar Rodríguez, Deputy Executive Director; Víctor Rojas, Promotion and Development Director; Bolivia Bottome, Institutional Development and Foreign Affairs Director; and Marielys García, Administrative Coordinator. The award -- presented by the María Paula Alonso de Ruiz Martínez Foundation’s President, Carlos Ruiz Alonso; and Karen Hart and Mauricio Armando, board members -- consisted of a plaque and a monetary award to be used for the purchase of musical instruments.

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Maestro José Antonio Abreu, Eduardo Méndez, Valdemar Rodríguez, Víctor Rojas, Bolivia Bottome, Marielys García, don Carlos Ruiz Alonso, Karen Hart, and Mauricio Armando
. 12/17/2009. Caracas. Photos: Fesnojiv.

During the ceremony, maestro José Antonio Abreu extended an invitation to the members of the María Paula Alonso de Ruiz Martínez Foundation to take part in the next II Spain – Venezuela Arts Festival. The young violinist born in Palma de Mallorca, Francisco García Fullana, whose career is being promoted by the Spanish foundation, also received an invitation from maestro Abreu: to perform as guest soloist with one of El Sistema’s orchestras. Finally, Dr. Abreu considered the possibility of an agreement between that institution and the Fesnojiv.

The María Paula Alonso de Ruiz Martínez Foundation was founded with the aim of furthering university education in the Ibero-American countries through the promotion of research programs and easy access to knowledge. This institution also fosters arts and cultural development by supporting music education for children and youth.