and the important pedagogic aspect developed by the Venezuelan and French Festival Atempo. At a moment when Europe was immersed in a certain crisis of ideas, this accomplishment has impressed European criticism because of its high standard and outstanding performers. In 17 years, (updated to 2010), the Festival Atempo has become an important global benchmark. In Europe, when speaking of Venezuela, the Festival Atempo is its immediate reference. Rivas's work is achieving positive results for Venezuelan culture. Thanks to the Festival, Caracas has become a world center for musical creation. There is also an emerging generation of young composers – valuable Venezuelans – whose originality is appreciated for the first time during the course of each edition of the Festival. Finally, I would like to highlight another of Rivas's great musical and artistic qualities referring to his human stature. His generosity is . Of great courage and love for culture, I wish to see him continue in his efforts to advance universal art. Academic activities 1965–68; 1970–72 — Director of the School of Music, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida-Venezuela 1965–68 — Director of the Choir of the Universidad de Los Andes, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida-Venezuela Lectures University of San Diego, California, May 8, 2009. Conference "Ars Compositiva" Conservatorio del Liceo de Barcelona (España), November 13, 2007. Lectures University of Cincinnati. College-Conservatory de Music, April 15, 16, 17, 2002. Lectures National Music Conservatory of Paris, November 2004. Lectures at the University of Houston, April 9, 2002. Conference Cité de la Musique, March 25, 2000. : "Técnicas y procedimientos de escritura para obras destinadas al violoncello" Academia de Música de Basilea (Basel, Switzerland), December 2, 1997. Lecture Festival Atempo Caracas, July 2001. : Reflection on the concept. Speakers: Diógenes Rivas, José Manuel Briceño Guerrero and Asdrúbal Colmenarez. Introducer: Valentina Marulanda Festival Atempo Caracas, July 1999, : Reflection on the concept. Speakers: Diógenes Rivas, Luis Alberto Crespo and Rodolfo Izaguirre. Introducer: Alfredo Chacón Festival Atempo Caracas, July 1998, : Reflection on the concept. Speakers: Domingo Miliani, Diógenes Rivas and Luis Alberto Crespo. Introducer: Stefania Mosca Festival Atempo Caracas, July 1997, : Reflection on the musical work "Soberbio Orinoco". Speakers: Luis Alberto Crespo, Alfredo Chacón, Sergio Pitol and Diógenes Rivas. Introducer: Maruja Dagnino Festival Atempo Caracas, July 1996, : Reflections on life and work of Antonin Artaud. Speakers: Diógenes Rivas, Alfredo Chacón and Perán Erminy. Introducer: Maruja Dagnino. Place: Centro Cultural Consolidado. Conference