Discovery En Español – Hispanic Heritage Month Specials.

Celebrating the riches of Hispanic culture, geography and history, Discovery en Español, the Spanish-language channel from Discovery Networks, will mark Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15, 2002 -October 15, 2002) with special episodes of three popular anthologies. PATRIAS (Homelands) travels to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to uncover ancient Mayan treasures in Misterios de Yucatan (Mysteries of the Yucatan). ICONOS (Icons), illuminates the mystery, excitement and lasting influence of two revered and controversial figures in Hispanic culture: the Virgin of Guadalupe and architect Antonio Gaudi. CALLES FAMOSAS (Streets of the World) uses aerial and time-lapse photography to bring to life some of the most dynamic avenues and boulevards of the Latin world.

“We are delighted to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by offering these spectacular documentaries on Discovery en Español,” said David Karp, senior vice president and general manager of Discovery Digital Networks. “These diverse series demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest quality programs to Hispanic viewers in their native language.”

In Misterios de Yucatan, a special episode of the PATRIAS anthology, a group of scientists and divers searches for the treasures of ancient Mayan civilizations in subterranean caverns of the Yucatan Peninsula. Thousands of years ago, these caverns formed the bottom of the sea. Today, they are flooded by crystal-clear waters that cover a host of treasures, secrets and mysteries — reachable only by those who can “speleodive.” This documentary follows the audacious research team traveling through a long maze of subaquatic caverns and galleries, unveiling mysteries that have been underwater for several millennia. Misterios de Yucatan has its U.S. premiere on Friday, September 20 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, with a repeat airing at 1:00 a.m. ET/10:00 p.m. PT.

The ICONOS anthology presents in-depth portraits of some of the best-known, most influential, and even most controversial personalities who have changed the course of Hispanic history. Two dramatic episodes will make their U.S. premieres during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Virgen de Guadalupe: Entre la Fe y la Razon (Virgin of Guadalupe: Between Faith and Reason) focuses on the scientific research conducted on the mysterious image of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, a source of pride and faith for millions of Catholics spanning hundreds of years. According to legend, the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 on a Tepeyac hill in Mexico. Juan Diego convinced the archbishop to build a church in her honor by opening his cape and revealing the Virgin’s portrait. Veiled in mystery, the image has not been discolored despite centuries of exposure to dampness, nitrate and candle smoke. In 1979, studies of the image’s left eye showed the figure of a seated man, who believers say is Juan Diego. Virgen de Guadalupe: Entre la Fe y la Razon makes its U.S. debut on Friday, September 20, at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, and will air again at 12:00 midnight ET/9:00 p.m. PT.

Las Sombras de Gaudi (The Shadows of Gaudi) is the story of one of the most controversial architects of the 20th century: Antonio Gaudi. Designer of the mad, strikingly original and perpetually unfinished church of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Gaudi is considered a saint — yet he died tragically, penniless and unrecognized. The year 2002 marks the 150th anniversary of his birth. Las Sombras de Gaudi has its U.S. premiere on Friday, October 4 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT, and will air again at 12:00 midnight ET/9:00 p.m.
PT.
In three 30-minute episodes, CALLES FAMOSAS (Streets of the World) travels the length of three of the most historic and dynamic avenues in the Latin world, exploring their times of success, tragedy, struggle and upheaval.

* Calles Famosas: Las Ramblas, Barcelona follows a day in the life of the 24-hour street in Barcelona, the 24-hour city, from the early-morning market sellers to the all-night bars where Picasso reveled in the wild night life. Calles Famosas: Las Ramblas, Barcelona has its U.S. premiere on Saturday, September 21 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, with a repeat at 1:00 a.m. ET/10:00 p.m. PT.

* Calles Famosas: Avenida de Mayo, Buenos Aires portrays the grand avenue of Buenos Aires, where Evita Peron greeted her adoring masses — and where Madonna heard the squeals of delirious teenagers as she stood on the same balcony to portray Evita. Avenida de Mayo is where the mothers of the “disappeared” demonstrated against their government, and where the tango can be heard spilling from cafes. Calles Famosas: Avenida de Mayo, Buenos Aires airs Saturday, September 21 at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT, with a repeat at 1:30 a.m. ET/10:30 p.m. PT.

* Once Havana’s most fashionable shopping district and a favorite stomping ground of Americans such as Ernest Hemingway, Calle Obispo fell into neglect after the Castro revolution. Today, tourism has revived the street and given new economic vitality to local merchants, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs. Calles Famosas: Calle Obispo, Havana airs Saturday, September 28 at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, with a repeat at 1:00 a.m. ET/10:00 p.m. PT.