Esta ley enmienda la Ley Núm. 8 de 1999 para declarar el primer sábado de octubre de cada año como el "Día del Trovador Puertorriqueño" y la primera semana de octubre como la "Semana del Trovador Puertorriqueño". Busca promover y preservar la música autóctona puertorriqueña, exhortando al Gobernador a emitir una proclama anual y a diversas entidades públicas a organizar actividades conmemorativas.
(Approved May 10, 2002)
To amend Act No. $008^{\mathrm{Y}}$ of January 6, 1999, in order to declare and establish that the first Saturday of the month of October of each year shall be known as the "Puerto Rican Troubadours Day", and that the Puerto Rican Troubadours Week shall be celebrated the first week of October.
The beautiful art of the "Jibaro" Troubadour's art is distinguished by the maximum display of creative expression and mental dexterity, manifested in a pleasant voice. This musical genre is performed by our Puerto Rican troubadour. This simple musical genre is cultivated without any exception, in our fresh and green countryside, in the plains, or in the mountains of this Island. However, the troubadours have been confronted with problems for the celebration of the "Puerto Rican Music Festival". Act No. 8 of January 6, 1999, proclaims the first week of December of each year as the "Puerto Rican Troubadour's Week". But the truth of the matter is that this commemoration conflicts with another celebration, which is held the first two weeks of December, and is popularly known as the "Feria Bacardí". Furthermore, prior to 1999, this festivity was held on November 19 of each year, but it conflicted with the celebration of the "Puerto Rico Discovery Day".
${ }^{\mathrm{Y}}$ Translator's Note: Should read Act No. 8
These conflicting dates have weakened the prominence of the customs and traditions in the past years, due to the displacement of this musical style by other rhythms that are presented in this and other events. As a result of this situation, the annual continuity of this celebration has faced inconveniences. The Puerto Rican troubadours need legislation that will enable them to comply with the main objective of diffusing and preserving our autochthonous music.
The celebration of the Puerto Rican Troubadour's Week and the Puerto Rican Troubadour's Day sets aside a day to concentrate all our efforts to educate the people on the merits that adorn the Puerto Rican "trova", particularly our youth, with regard to their knowledge and active participation of all that is related to our native folklore.
During the first week in the month of October, including this first Saturday, tribute can be rendered to these Puerto Rican musicians, without diminishing the importance of other cultural festivities promoted by the government for the people of Puerto Rico.
Section 1.- Section 1 of Act No. 8 of January 6, 1999, is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 1.- The first week of October of each year is declared as the "Puerto Rican Troubadour's Week" in Puerto Rico, to commemorate and promote the participation of the citizenry in the activities held in recognition of the musical contributions of the troubadours, especially during that week. It is hereby declared and established that the first Saturday of the month of October of each year shall be known as the "Puerto Rican Troubadour's Day"."
"Section 2.- The Governor of Puerto Rico shall annually exhort the Puerto Rican people, through a proclamation to such effect, to manifest their admiration and support and ender this well-deserved homage to the Puerto Rican troubadours, through the organization and sponsoring of the activities pertinent to the declaration and commemoration, during the first week of the month of October, as the week of the Puerto Rican Troubadour, and the first Saturday of the month of October, as the Puerto Rican Troubadour's Day, in recognition of the artistic, historical and cultural contribution of the troubadours in Puerto Rico, and to promote this artistic activity."
Section 3.- Section 3 of Act No. 8 of January 6, 1999 is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 3.- The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, the Puerto Rican corporation for Public Diffusion, the Luis A. Ferré Beaux Arts Center, as well as the public bodies and entities and municipalities in Puerto Rico, shall adopt the necessary measures for the achievement of the objectives of this Act, through the organization and celebration of activities to commemorate and promote this artistic manifestation during the "Puerto Rican Troubadour's Week" and the "Puerto Rican Troubadour's Day". Said activity shall be held through activities such as, but not limited, to contests of improvisations, interpretations and composition, concerts, conferences, expositions, etc... . The participation of the citizenry and private entities in these activities, shall likewise be promoted."
Section 4.- This Act shall take effect immediately after its approval.
I hereby certify to the Secretary of State that the following Act No. 60 (S.B. 743) of the $\underline{3}^{ ext {rd }}$ Session of the $\underline{14}^{ ext {th }}$ Legislature of Puerto Rico:
AN ACT to amend Act No. $008^{\mathrm{Y}}$ of January 6, 1999, in order to declare and establish that the first Saturday of the month of October of each year shall be known as the "Puerto Rican Troubadours Day", and that the Puerto Rican Troubadours Week shall be celebrated the first week of October, has been translated from Spanish to English and that the English version is correct.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, today $14^{ ext {th }}$ of January of 2004.
Elba Rosa Rodríguez-Fuentes Director
⁰ ⁰: ${ }^{\mathrm{Y}}$ Translator's Note: Should read Act No. 8
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