APRIL 2010

Holy week exodus begins

Santo Domingo more calm than ever

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- During Holy Week in the Dominican Republic, citizens take advantage of the holiday to go to tourist sites, mostly beaches, and rivers in the country.

The capital Santo Domingo is practically deserted and the chaotic traffic as well the hectic urban life calm down from Holy Thursday until Resurrection Sunday.
This long week-end is used by many Dominicans to go beaches or rivers for the first time or to visit their families and place of origin, while some of them rest and reflect in their homes.

The tradition is that the public and private institutions work until Thursday at noon, which is used by people to travel to different provinces and spend those holidays in different places.

The religious celebrations in the Dominican Republic begins with the Palm Sunday, where the branches are blessed in all churches of the country. There is a procession with hymns and it culminates with a special Mass or Eucharist.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are normal days, but on Holy Thursday in the morning the Chrism Mass takes place, priests renew their promises and deliver the holy oils in the parishes.

Also in the evening the parishioners attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, accompanied by the washing of feet and a procession.
During Holy Friday the Sermon on the Seven Words takes place, along with the commemoration of the Passion and Death of Jesus and the Adoration of the Holy Cross.

On the night of Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil takes place, starting around 11:00 _pm and until dawn, including the skylight, the blessing of fire, blessing the Paschal Candle, procession, proclamation paschal liturgy the word, liturgy of baptism, Litany of the Saints, the blessing of baptismal water and acts of confirmation.

Holy week culminates Sunday and ends with an Easter Mass at noon.

Santo Domingo Live, 01.04.10

Vacationers enjoy the protected areas of Santo Domingo

Alternative spaces for healthy recreation for families

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Protected areas, ecological parks and wetlands that are part of the natural attractions surrounding the city of Santo Domingo, which offers vacationers an alternative space for healthy recreation for families.

The new protected areas that surround the city, natural refuge for hundreds of species of birds and plants, welcomed during this Holy Week enthusiasts vacationers who came there to keep in touch with nature, relax and have fun with their families.

The peaceful atmosphere that experienced those who decided to stay in Santo Domingo during Holy Week was adorned by the laughters of dozens of children and adults who took a walk in the Ozama Wetlands Park up on their bikes and skateboards, or those who took a bath in fresh and clear waters of the Cachón de la Rubia .

These areas, located next to Nigua Ecological Park, at only minutes from Santo Domingo, as Laguna Azul and Laguna Dulce in the St. Louis area and the recently rescued beach located at the Monument Fray Antón de Montesinos, thanks to the preservation and rescue program conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, are today alternative places where families can spend a good time, play sports and enjoy of nature in a safe and secure environment.

These protected areas, many of which are part of the Green Belt of Santo Domingo, are constantly watched by soldiers belonging to the National Environment Service and by the villagers themselves, especially women, who are part of the brigades of reforestation and cleaning.

In addition to the family atmosphere that people can find by visiting these areas, various sporting activities can be practised, such as regattas, bicycle, fishing, canoeing competition and rally.

The Ministry of Environment, as part of its strategy to rescue areas are home to wildlife, flora and fauna, set up the necessary mechanisms for their sustainability, as the educational programs, which tend to recognition, conservation and proper use of natural heritage and integrating society into to preservation program.

Areas such as Cachón de la Rubia , which were until recently polluted, and Ozama River are now one of the most attractive natural sights in Santo Domingo. There are blowing new life, and Holy Week vacationers could enjoy the renovation of its environment. Today, these are refreshing, full of life areas, and also a refuge for dozens of endangered species.

Residents of the area that surrounds Santo Domingo East see this place as a true miracle, like a green paradise, where trees as javilla, wild jasmine and mahogany surround miles of suitable trails for eco-adventure and greats to observe the beautiful birds that nest there.

Also the National Park Wetlands Ozama, with 47 square kilometers, is one of the most attractive natural sights in the city of Santo Domingo. Visitors have access to wetlands through Bayaguana, Monte Plata, La Victoria and San Luis roads.

Santo Domingo Live, 05.04.10

United States offers Dominican Republic to be integrated to a Caribbean electrical project

Morales holds bilateral meeting with United States representatives

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- United States offered to the Dominican Republic to be part of an electrical mega-project linking Colombia, Central America and the Caribbean islands.

This announcement was made by Arturo Valenzuela, Deputy Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere, who held a bilateral meeting in New York with Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso, on the occasion of the International Donors’ Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti.

Guyana has abundant fuel resources. And Colombia has a great generating capacity, said Mr. Valenzuela.

United States also insisted that the only way to eliminate the cut of trees in Haiti was to respond to its electricity needs to supply businesses and homes, using other sources than firewood and charcoal.

For his part, Dominican Foreign Minister Morales Troncoso reiterated the interest of its country in supplying electricity to Haiti and Puerto Rico. The American representative was moved by the generous response of the international community for Haiti.

He also thanked Dominican cooperation, despite the complicated history between the two countries contribution has been substantial, said Valenzuela.

For Mr.Morales, however, the Dominican Republic solidarity with Haiti is not new. We have always been supportive. When the three hurricanes of 2008, the reaction was comparable. Despite our limitations and shortcomings Haiti knows he can count on us.

Both Foreign Minister Morales Troncoso and Economy Minister Temistocles Montas highlighted the need for the United States continue to participate in the follow-up of Haitian situation.

Both the Minister Montás as Eddy Martinez, Minister of Trade and Investment requested support from the United States concerning the border market development at the point of Elías Piña-Belladère Jimaní-Fonds Parisiens and Pedernales-Anse à Pitre.

The experience of Cooperation between the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the United States has been successful concerning the HOPE project which covers the operations of the Group M in Juana Mendez. This should now be extended to other poles in order to formalize and humanize the Dominican-Haitian trade and create jobs in Haiti, said minister Martinez.

Santo Domingo Live, 06.04.10

World Economic Forum on Latin America

President Fernández will travel to Colombia

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernández will travel Wednesday to the city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, where he will participate in the World Economic Forum on Latin American, which will discuss the global economic recovery and reduction of inequity in the region.

The Forum will bring together the leaders of Guatemala, Paraguay, Panama and Colombia, as well as more than 550 entrepreneurs from various companies in the United States, Russia and India, some of which President Fernández will meet bilaterally.

Mr. Fernández will depart on a private flight at four in the evening from the San Isidro Air Base, along with a small delegation composed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Morales Troncoso and the Economy, Planning and Development Minister Temistocles Montas, as well as Rafael Núñez, Secretary of State, and Director of Information, Press and Publicity.

On arrival at the city of Cartagena, the Dominican president will meet with the Dell company president, Paul Bell and then hold a meeting with Governor of Mexico State, Enrique Nieto Paña.

At night the Dominican President will give interviews to the Colombian medias Caracol TV, La Noche, the RCN FM and Global Asia Magazine.

The planned agenda indicates that Fernández will meet in the morning with his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe, and then participate in the first plenary session of the World Economic Forum.

The five major topics to be discussed at the Forum, in this its fifth version, are people, democracy and governance, leadership of the green economy, new opportunities for cooperation, ways for economic recovery and reducing inequality in Latin America.

On this occasion, the president also plans to participate to the panel New Horizons for Haiti, which will study the situation of the sister nation after the earthquake on January the 12^th, 2010.

Santo Domingo Live, 07.04.10

XIII International Book Fair of Santo Domingo 2010

Reading is the face that identifies you

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Under the slogan Reading is the face that identifies you will be held the XIII International Book Fair of Santo Domingo 2010, an event dedicated to honoring national and international artists and writers.

The event, from this year, will have a longer duration, and will open on April the 21^st and will close on May the 9^th at the Culture Plaza Juan Pablo Duarte.The guest country for this edition is Mexico.

Some writers will have a dedicated street as: Frank Moya Pons, Jose Rafael Sosa, Carlos Nina Gomez, Diogenes Valdez, Antonio Lockward Artiles, Rafael Núñez Cedeño, Soledad Alvarez, Plinio Chahine, Pablo Marinez, Bonnelly Aida Diaz, Haffe Serulle, César Sánchez Beras, Michael Phipps, Anibal de Castro, Manuel Salvador Gautier, Manuel Mora Serrano, José Del Castillo and Dinorah Coronado.

In addition to these tributes, the Book Fair will give to the Theatre the name of Louis Dias, in honor of the witter and singer.

Also, the classic event will honour two large international figures, with the opening of a pavilion dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta on the centenary of her birth, and a visual tribute to the Uruguayan poet Mario Benedetti, who died last year.

Santo Domingo Live, 08.04.10

Norway donates $ 134 million to Haiti

Rafael Albuquerque receives donation

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Vice President Rafael Albuquerque received a donation of 134 million dollars fromNorway, for the reconstruction of Haiti.

As he received the donation during a ceremony held in the lounge Orlando Martinez, from the Minister of Development Cooperation and Environment, Erik Solheim, Albuquerque emphasized the help and contributions for the reconstruction of Haiti made by this country.

Albuquerque said that the Dominican Republic has been discussing the coordination of relief and solidarity works of Norway to the Haitian nation, shaken by an earthquake on January the 12^th.

For his part, Minister of Development Cooperation and External Environment of the Kingdom of Norway, Mr. Erik Solheim, thanked the Dominican people and the government of President Fernández permanent support tp the Haitian people after the earthquake in the neighboring country.

He said the $ 134 millions will be delivered to the Government of Haiti in annual amounts and will be used in projects that contribute to the reconstruction of Haiti.

He added that Norway has been working in the areas of environment, health and refugee centers in Port-au-Prince.

He highlighted that the resources donated by Norway to Haiti came from the International Donors Conference for a new future for Haiti, which took place in New York City on March the 31^st.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SUPPORT

Erik Solheim, said the government of his country is interested in contributing with development plans for the Dominican Republic.

In this regard, he said that during his stay in the Dominican Republic he will hold meetings with Vice President Rafael Albuquerque and the Minister of Environment, Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, the deputy foreign minister, José Manuel Trullols, and representatives of social and religious institutions.

Santo Domingo Live, 09.04.10

Economic Conference in Global Foundation Democracy and Development

The challenges of development in Latin America and the Caribbean

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernández attended this Friday in Funglode the conference The Challenges of Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, directed by the chief executive of Andean Development Corporation, Enrique Garcia.

Mr. Garcia identified the areas and situations that the region has to deal with to reach its integral development in the actual world, working with the experience of the Andean Development Corporation in supporting various programs in different Latin American and the Caribbean countries.

He particularly congratulated the way the government of President Fernández has maintained the Dominican economy stability.
He further stressed that the authorities have been able to promote economic growth based on the development of infrastructure for education.

This presentation was given by Marco Herrera, executive director Funglode, who stressed academic ability and experience of Garcia as an officer of various development agencies in Latin America.

The conference was attended by the President Fernández, Federico Antun Batlle, director of the National Housing Bank, Joaquin Geronimo, Superintendent of Pensions, Daniel Toribio, Banreservas manager, Vicente Bengoa, Minister of Finance, Héctor Valdez Albizu, governor of Central Bank , Alma Fernandez, director of INVI, Luis Manuel Bonetti, Administrative Secretary of the Presidency, and Luis Hernandez, among others.

Santo Domingo Live, 12.04.10

President Leonel Fernández will receive six new ambassadors in the country

In the Hall of Ambassadors of the National Palace

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- President of the Republic, Dr. Leonel Fernández, will receive on Tuesday the credentials of six new ambassadors in the country.

The new diplomatic representatives, who will be introduced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic Carlos Morales Troncoso, are relative to Ecuador, Argentina, the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Malta, El Salvador, Liberia and Equatorial Guinea.

At the event, that will take place in the Hall of Ambassadors of the National Palace, the president will receive extraordinary and plenipotentiary representatives Carlos Lopez Damm, from Ecuador; Naomi Maria Gomez, from Argentina, Jose Vitienes Colubifrom the Order of Malta, Américo Mauro Araujo, from El Salvador, Milton Nathaniel Barnes, from Liberia, and Teresa Efua Asangono, from Equatorial Guinea.

The new ambassador of Ecuador to the country, Carlos Lopez Damm, owns a large vocational curriculum, which has enabled him to have important positions in his country and to exercise his diplomatic career.

Argentine Noemi Gomez is a lawyer. She was Director General of Multilateral Latin American Politics and Director of Regional Affairs in her country.

José Vitienes Colubi, the new ambassador of the Order of Malta in the Dominican Republic, has held important positions in the private sector in his country and is enrolled in the Master in Business Administration at Columbia University.

The Salvadoran Americo Araujo Mauro is a graduate in medicine. He has also conducted studies on policy and situational and law analysis.

Santo Domingo Live, 13.04.10

Inauguration of the exhibition Abstract Impressionism by Michel Bizet

At Quinta Dominica of Santo Domingo

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The French artist Michel Bizet inaugurated the exhibition Abstract Impressionism, composed of works that lead us towards a world where imagination creates a whole universe of ideas and thoughts, following the path of Claude Monet, the forerunner of this movement.

The historic walls of the Quinta Dominica, 202 Calle Padre Billiniof the Colonial City, were chosen by Michel Bizet, who 15 years ago fell in love with our country, to install the exhibition where he presented a set of works that are complement each other, going from figurative to abstract impressionism, so visitors will find an interesting proposal to study and learn about this movement.

At the opening ceremony, Michel Bizet made a didactic demonstration with the Japanese Bridge by Monet on four paintings, on which he worked by removing progressively elements and details, in order to explain the current of abstract impressionism.

My work presents first the landscape, which has been an indispensable reference to the nature of which man can not be separated, then changing, removing elements, on a series of works, to reach the abstract landscape, a school of which were part painters as French Bazaine, Mannesier and Bissiere.

Dominican renowned art critics as Candido Geron, Marianne de Tolentino, Amable López Meléndez, Manuel Núñez, have praised the work of Bizet in previous exhibitions like Oxygen in the Museo de las Casas Reales in 2008.

The writer, poet and critic Candide Giron says of Bizet that the memory, feelings and stimuli anticipate the pleasure in painting. While Amable Lopez Melendez describes him as an artist with a fresh, lucid, full and mature personality.

French artist presents abstract impressionism preceded by critical praise of his earlier works such as Marianne de Tolentino Bizet saying that he produces a subtle pictorial game, where strokes and hues get together in a whole, or a visual system, and generally any part of the surface is privileged. Now, this abstract, besides intimate sensations, is concerned about communicating and interacting with others…

The exhibition takes place at the Quinta Dominica, located at St. Padre Billini 202, until 30 April.

See the website of artist Michel Bizet

Santo Domingo Live, 14.04.10

Culture Ministry will celebrate the International Day for Monuments and Sites

From April the 19^th to 21^st in Santo Domingo

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Culture will celebrate the International Day for Monuments and Sites, which this time includes visits to museums, religious events, dialogues and conferences with leading international specialists.

The purpose of this celebration, worldwide, is to raise awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage of humanity, its vulnerability and the efforts required for its protection and conservation.

The Ministry of Culture, through the Vice Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the Directorate of Cultural Heritage Management, the National Monument Heritage and the Fund for the Protection of the Colonial City, has prepared a varied program that includes the participation of important international speakers as: Enrique Santoyo Villa, Javier Villalobos, and Roberto Meli.

The activities will take place from the 19^th to 21^st of this month. On Monday at 9:00 _am the event begins with a visit to the Church and Fort of Santa Barbara, and at noon, will pass by the ruins of San Francisco and San Nicolas.

At 4:30 _PM, Alfredo Ricart Nouel will present the proposal of the Church of Santa Barbara levelling in the Museo de las Casas Reales, which will be studied, at 5:00 _pm, by Jose Manuel Diaz and architect Mauricia Dominguez. At 5:30 _pm Enrique Santoyo, will offer the conference Problems and Solutions of the levelling of monuments.

On Tuesday the 20^th, 9:00 _am to 1:00 _pm, people will visit the churches of Las Mercedes and the Cathedral. In the afternoon, at 5:00 _pm, the architect Javier Villalobos will offer the conference The heritage of Mexico: experiences with natural disasters.

At 6:00 _pm, Dr. Roberto Meli will organize the conference: The restructuring of monuments: an analysis of cases related to natural disasters.
And on Wednesday the 21^st , 10 _a.m. to 1 _pm, there will be a meeting between technicians and specialists, at the Museo de las Casas Reales, which will include discussions, recommendations and conclusions of the cycle.

Santo Domingo Live, 15.04.10

Dominican Republic and European Union agree to continue dialogue

Carlos Morales Troncoso attends meeting at the Embassy of Spain

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The ambassadors of the European Union offered a meal to Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso, in order to strengthen the political dialogue that the European Union maintains with countries signatories of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-Caribbean EPA).

During the meeting, which took place at the Embassy of Spain, a nation that holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, reviewed issues of national and international events of mutual interest for Dominican Republic and the European Union.

Mr. Morales Troncoso was accompanied by Deputy Minister José Manuel Trullols, the Dominican Republic’s ambassador in Spain, Cesar Medina and Cesar Dargam, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Trade Negotiations.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the political dialogue between the country and the European Union will be held before the General Assembly of the United Nations to be held in September.

The breakfast was attended by ambassadorsGuicciardi Enrico, from Italy, Christian Germann, from Germany, Roland Dubertrand from France, Steven M. Fisher, from Great Britain, Rita Rahman, from the Netherlands; Irene Horejs, representing the Delegation of the European Commission, Diego Bermejo, from Spain.

Santo Domingo Live, 16.04.10

Concert for Haiti in Santo Domingo

Attended by more than 40 000 people

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Over 40.000 people attended this Sunday in the Dominican capital the concert A song of hope for Haiti, involving numerous artists in order to raise funds for the Caribbean country, devastated by an earthquake in January.

The Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra was the first to go on stage, defying the rain that did not bother the audience, mostly composed by young people.

The famous singer of Ojala que llueva cafe was followed by Spanish singer Miguel Bose.
There are people who are attentive to words of hope, said Bosé at the concert, which seeks to raise funds to build a children’s hospital in Haiti.

He sang the song Amante bandido and then exclaimed Good Night, Santo Domingo. Thanks for being here, and continued with Te Amare and Nada particular.

Hernandez Maridalia continued with her classic Te Ofrezco, Quien no sabe de amor and a song from her new album Recuento.

Puerto Rican Luis Fonsi started the tears of the audience with his hits Quien te dijo eso, Aqui estoy Yo and No me doy por vencido.

Enrique Iglesias appeared on stage with the theme Nunca te olvidare continuing withLloro por ti, Heroe, and concluding with Dimelo.

The Queen of Merengue Milly Quezada, could not miss with Para Darte mi vida, Solo contigo, Porque me amaste and ended with Vive song.

Alejandro Sanz with guitar in hand, began with the song Desde cuando, Corazon Partio and Looking for paradise. Johnny Ventura followed with Merenguero hasta la tambora, La agarradera and El tabaco.

Juanes came up on stage with A Dios Le Pido, Odio por amor and La Camisa Negra. Juan Luis back again with Como yo, Bachata en Fukuoka and El Farolito. All the artists got up on stage to perform Ojala que llueva cafe, concluding the song of hope for Haiti.

Santo Domingo Live, 19.04.10

Dominican Republic became a destination for the Tenth International Fly In

Caribbean Air Challenge

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic became the first time, a the destination of International Fly In Caribbean Aviation Challenge, in its tenth version, after 25 aircraft arrived in the country from Canada and the United States, with over 50 crew members.

The aircrafts arrived at Dr. Joaquin Balaguer International Airport, between 3:00 and 4:30 _pm and their crews were greeted by officials from the Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation and Airport Department.

Aristides Fernandez Zucco, Secretary of State, Executive Director of Airport Department, as he pronounced the words of welcome, said that the International Fly in was part of the government policy developed of President Leonel Fernandez in order to ensure country’s tourism development and promotion of airport facilities nationwide.

The sub Director of Airports Department and communications director, Ramon Jerez, said the organization International Air Rally, based in Canada, each year chooses the Caribbean countries as destinations of the event, and for the first time included the Dominican Republic in recognition the rise of private aviation in our country and the incentives provided by the Government.

The decision to include the Dominican Republic as a destination for the tenth version of the International Fly In the Aviation Challenge of the Caribbean was made last November in Tampa, Florida, on the occasion of the participation of the Executive Director of Airports Department Fernandez Zucco, at the Annual Convention of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots (AOPA), during a meeting with Mrs. Catherine Toben, president of the International Air Rally organization.

The Ministry of Tourism, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation and Airport Department, offered a welcome cocktail to the drivers and their attendants in Dr. Joaquin Balaguer International Airport of La Isabela.

On Wednesday the 21^st ten aircraft will fly to Port au Prince, Haiti, and the next day all will come to Puerto Rico.

Santo Domingo Live, 20.04.10

XIII International Book Fair starts today

More than 400 exhibitors from 30 countries participate to the event

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- With representation from 30 countries, the XIII International Book Fair will open today, at 6:30 _pm, at the National Theater Eduardo Brito, and in the presence of President Leonel Fernández , as part of Santo Domingo American Capital of Culture.

According to official data from the Directorate of the Fair, during the event which runs until May 9^th, 436 exhibitors are registered, 215 of them are international publishers, of which 41 are from Mexico, Guest of Honor country.

Parking

There will be a Valet Parking service. It will be installed on Maximo Gomez Avenue, left side door entry to the National Theatre next to the Metro station Casandra Damirón. The cost is RD $ 100 per vehicle.

There will also be a system of free parking at three locations: Parking of Torre Popular (Maximo Gomez Avenue, opposite the Olympic Center) parking at the Palace of Fine Arts, and parking in the Plaza del Conservatorio.

Interested persons may park their vehicles in these places and use buses that will offer an exclusive free transfer to the Plaza de la Cultura. It will run on schedule from 9 _am to 10 _pm.

There will be three areas of food and drinks. 2.375 activities will take place during the 18-day event, with 383 conferences and 132 book presentations.

The participating countries are Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica, Korea, Chile, Spain, United States, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Holland (Netherlands), Italy, Israel , Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom (Great Britain, Northern Ireland), Taiwan, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The exhibition will present 38 pavilions infrastructure. 118 writers of different nationalities and 233 Dominican writers are part of the exhibition program. Some 45 artists from Mexico, Colombia and Spain will participate in the program shows in the Teatro-Arena Luis Dias and at the National Theater Eduardo Brito. Mexico brings 69 publishers.

Santo Domingo Live, 21.04.10

Chamber of Deputies Medal of Merit for Arts and Letters is created

An award for artists, writers, intellectuals and social scientists

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican Republic announced the country and the national and international cultural communities the creation and institutionalization of the award Chamber of Deputies Medal  of Merit for Arts and Letters, as an award that recognizes the work of a lifetime produced by dominican artists, writers, intellectuals and social scientists who have reached high levels of dedication in their creative and intellectual life.

The resolution was enacted on April the 8^th 2008, and was introduced to the Deputies Chamber by its president Julio Cesar Valentin Jiminián through the Standing Committee of Culture.

The chairman of the House of Representatives as revealed the contents of the resolution that created the new and historic award, revealed the names of the first artistic and cultural personalities who will receive the first award : Oscar de la Renta, fashion designer and international fashion master, graduated from the National School of Fine Arts, Ramon Oviedo, national art master, recognized by national and international experts as a most representative expressions of modern and contemporary art inLatin America, Ada Balcacer, dedicated national art master, graduated from the National School of Fine Art, Victor Villegas, poet, writer, lawyer and academic, also author of a work poetry and essays of broad national and international recognition, and Guillo Perez, painter of national and international prestige.

For years the Chamber of Deputies has been promoting and cultivating a stimulating approach to the Dominican society through the successful implementation of the Program of Support for Arts and Letters PROAAL-CD, which, thanks to its rigorous and comprehensive character received major awards from academic institutions, as well as specialized institutions of the arts sector.

Santo Domingo Live, 22.04.10

XIII International Book Fair is already a success

Dozens of students from around the country attended the event

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The XIII International Book Fair 2010 Santo Domingo, which opened its doors to the public this Thursday has already been visited by dozens of students from public and private schools as well as people across the country.

President Leonel Fernandez inaugurated the XIII International Book Fair, Santo Domingo 2010, on Wednesday night during a ceremony held at the Carlos Piantini Hall, of Eduardo Brito National Theater, where hundreds of writers, poets and officials’ government, were present.

The XIII International Book Fair, dedicated on this occasion to the Dominican poet Freddy Gaton Arce, takes place as every year, at the Plaza de la Cultura Juan Pablo Duarte, with the participation of 30 countries, including Mexico as the guest of honor.

The participants in this celebration of culture can enjoy various activities, which include: singing, drama, reading, poetry, games and other events developed for the enjoyment of the family.

Patricia Espinosa, Mexico’s foreign minister, in his speech on behalf of Mexican President Felipe Calderón thanked President Fernandez and the Dominican people have chosen this country as guest of honor at the International Book Fair for the second time.

The XIII International Book Fair is defined as one of the most significant cultural activities of the Dominican nation. This celebration of culture welcomes 114 writers from 14 countries, and 18 writers from the Dominican Republic,

National and international publishers, libraries, public and private institutions are visited each year by hundreds of people of different ages.

Among the entities involved developing different activities are the ministries of Education, Women, Planning and Development and the Office of the First Lady, National Lottery and Infotep and Indotel, among others.

Santo Domingo Live, 23.04.10

French Embassy will exhibit The other Silvano

From April the 28^th to June the 30^th, 2010

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- On Wednesday 28 April, the French Embassy in the Dominican Republic will inaugurate in its cultural spaces the exhibition The other Silvano, an exhibition of paintings of Dominican artist Silvano Lora.

The exhibition consists of 16 works, mostly unpublished, from different stages and series production of the artist. This exhibition aims to show a more playful side of this versatile and audacious artist, remembered as much for his art as for its cultural drive efforts in the Dominican Republic and its commitment to social struggles.

Silvano Lora was born on July 17, 1931 in Santo Domingo. His first solo show was held in 1951, while his last exhibition was held in 2001. He was always very committed to the cause of social justice and politics.

The artist, more remembered for being the organizer of the Biennial Marginal, died on July the 12^th , 2003, and until the end worked on art and cultureprojects. The exhibition is an homage to his memory.

As the artist Jose Ramia Guzman said that in this sample will be observed the Silvano Lora we know best, but also the fun one, which is not always used art as a weapon of combat. He, from time to time also worked for the fun, leaving us a work without any type of claim and classification. But anyway… another Silvano.

The exhibition will be open to the public from April the 28^th to June the 30^th, 2010; will be presented in the exhibition halls of the Embassy of France, located on Calle Las Damas, No. 42, in the Zona Colonial, on schedule 9:00 _am to 4:30 _pm, Monday through Thursday, and Friday, from 9:00 _am to 1:00 _pm.

Santo Domingo Live, 26.04.10

European Plaza is inaugurated at the XIII Book Fair 2010

In the presence of French Ambassador, Roland Dubertrand

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Culture inaugurated the Europe Plaza in the XIII International Book Fair 2010 as part of the program of activities of the event.

The ceremony was held at the Museum of Dominican Man of the Culture Plaza, and was chaired by the Deputy Minister Bernarda Jorge.

The event was attended by ambassadors from several European countries: Don Diego Bermejo, from Spain, Irene Horejs, from European Union, Roland Dubertrand, from France, and Christian Germann, from Germany, who were pleased to participate in the event organized by the Ministry of Culture.

During the meeting, the activities to be developed in the European Plaza were presented, which includes reading European newspapers, drawing competitions, children’s storytelling and theatrical activities.

It will also provide details and informations about the facilities offered in Spain and European countries for students to pursue careers in those countries.

European diplomats congratulated the Ministry of Culture for the Organization of the International Book Fair, which this year is dedicated to Mexico and pays tribute to poet Freddy Gatón Arce.

He stressed out the importance of culture and reading as tools to unite people and exalt the values of the different countries of the civilized world.

Santo Domingo Live, 27.04.10

Inauguration of El Pop Art en la colección del IVAM exhibition

To raise awareness of the European contribution to the Pop Art

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Ministry of Culture, the Embassy of Spain in the Dominican Republic, the Museum of Modern Art and the Directorate General of Book Fair inaugurated the exhibition El Pop Art en la colección del IVAM at the first level of the cultural entity.

This activity is part of the XIII International Book Fair of Santo Domingo 2010. The ceremony was led by Deputy Minister of Culture, Lourdes Camilo de Cuello, Ambassador of Spain, Diego Bermejo, the representative of the European Union, Andris Piebalgs and the director of the Museum of Modern Art, María Elena Ditrén.

During his speech the ambassador of Spain, said he expects the public to enjoy this show, as it is a recreation the Pop Art history, which emerged in Europe.
The exhibition brings together fifty-seven work produced under the hallmark of El Pop Art en la colección del IVAM of the Valencia Institute of Modern Art.

The curators of this exhibition are the director of IVAM, Consuelo Císcar, and William Jeffet, curator of Salvador Dalí Museum in Saint Petersburg, the exhibition represents a compelling journey through an artistic movement that emerged in England, became emblematic in the United States and developed an European variant favoring political criticism than parody of consumer society.

The exhibition focuses on the European contribution to the Pop Art in the communicating vessels between American and European artists, especially Valencia, as well as some of his predecessors and debtors of his legacy.

Maria Elena Ditrén, director of the MAM said: The interesting and carefully selection made by Consuelo Cisco and William Jeffet, curators of the exhibition, co-produced by SEACEX enables us to appreciate in this show the different aspects of Pop art in the collection of IVAM: from the banal to the social, from the purely visual to an intellectual trend. The works of this exhibition, give us a tour of the least known aspects of POP with works and artists of great significance, in which in addition to aesthetic values, refer us to its own context and the sociology of culture.

Possessor of one of the most important collections of its kind in Europe, the IVAM offers an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art with works exhibited for the first time in the Dominican Republic.

The selection highlights the work of Spanish artists : Anzo, Eduardo Arroyo, Equipo Crónica, Juan Genovés, Equipo Realidad, Josep Renau, Manuel Sáez, Antonio Saura, Juan Antonio Toledo, junto a obras de Guilles Aillaud, John Chamberlain, John Baldessari, Richard Bosman, Alberto Greco, Richard Hamilton, Jasper Johns, Yves Klein, Richard Lindner, Claes Oldenburg, Sigmar Polke, Richard Prince, Robert Rauschenberg, Gerhard Richter, James Rosenquist and Cindy Sherman.

Santo Domingo Live, 28.04.10

French Dominican Chamber of Commerce holds a seminar

Electronic commerce in DR: Obstacles, challenges and Opportunities for business development

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- International consultant Juan José Núñez advised that Dominican companies should acquire a digital strategy. The lecture was given in the framework of the seminar on Electronic Commerce in the DR: Obstacles, challenges and opportunities for enterprise development, organized by the French Dominican Chamber of Commerce (CCDF), sponsored by Popular Bank and Orange Dominicana.

M. Nuñez, an expert on digital markets in Latin America and the Hispanic market of the United States who was chief of operations of the portal www.Starmedia.com, was the main guest of the meeting.

Christophe Normand, founder of Neptunecigar.com, an online store known worldwide as a leader in Internet sales of cigarettes and smoking accessories was also an expected guest. The seminar, held at the Occidental Embajador Hotel, was composed of three parts with the participation of recognized experts in the field.

The first part was Are we ready for e-commerce ? and counted with the participation of Cesar Molina, representative of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel) Paul Tactuk, director of the National Bureau of Statistics (ONE), Carlos Radhamés Cornielle, a lawyer specialized in Internet law, and the General Claudio Peguero, from the Crime Investigation Department of Advanced Technology (DICAT).

In the last second part, the Local experiences of E-Commerce were presented, with the participation of Mr. Sylvain MAUFRAIS, President of the company ACOM CARIBBEAN and of the network of websites República Dominicana Live, Mr. Christophe Normand, owner of the Neptunecigar.com virtual store, Mr. Mitsuteru Nishio, Director of Alternative Channels of Orange, and Mr. Isael Peña, who spoke on the e-banking of Bancs Popular.

The third panel exposed the Opportunities and Challenges of Electronic Commerce in the country withe the participation of Germania Montas, deputy director of the Directorate General of Internal Revenue; Marcos Troncoso, from the Dominican Chamber of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT Chamber), while the deputy Pelegrin Castillo spoke about the bill Zero Rate for the Internet.

Santo Domingo Live, 29.04.10

Dominican Culture Week will be held in Italy

Under the international program of Santo Domingo, the American Capital of Culture 2010

BREAKING NEWS: Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Culture Week in Italy, in its second edition, will be held from May the 25^th to May the 30^th in the cities of Milan, Turin, Genoa and Alba, and the presence of a large delegation of writers and artists in the country.

The first edition of this event, organized by a committee chaired by literary critic and scholar Italian Danilo Manera, took place in 2000, ten years ago.
This new edition receives the support of the Ministry of Culture and the collaboration of Instituto Cervantes, Milan, Cesare Pavese Foundation, Casa America, Genoa Mirafiori Foundation and the city of Alba.

The event, which opens on May the 25^th, will be attended by a delegation headed by Minister of Culture José Rafael Lantigua, and of writers as Angela Hernandez, Soledad Alvarez, Jose Marmol, Basil Belliard, Plinio Chahine, Llibre Manuel Otero, Romina Bayo and Rosa Silverio. In addition, the Tempered System Orchestra of Rafaelito Mirabal will participate.

The program starts with a visit to the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the University of Turin, where they participate in the inauguration of the exhibition Art of Madness, coordinated by the director of the entity, Emma Rabino.

The next day, there will be a meeting at the Foundation Cesare Pavese. In the afternoon, there will be the presentation of the orchestra Tempered System, the renowned musician Rafaelito Santiago Mirabal.

The program is based on classical pieces by Dominicans. Prior to the act, speak Dominican Culture Minister Jose Rafael Lantigua.
On Thursday the 27^th will be held at the Cervantes Institute in Milan, a literary gathering with the theme Dominican poetry today, « in which the poet José Marmol speak will speak to the poetic Dominican Corrientes twentieth century.

In the same activity will be presented the magazine Country Culture of the Ministry of Culture, by the poet Basil Belliard, and the book in Italian The invention of poetry vuelo.100 Santo Domingo, Danilo Manera, edited by EditorialBesa, Italy. The Instituto Cervantes will host a dinner in honor of the visitors.

On the 28^th, in the House of Genoa America Week will be held centrally on the Dominican culture. José Rafael Lantigua give a talk entitled Santo Domingo, a city of firsts Angela Hernandez will speak on Women in Dominican history and culture and, Soledad Alvarez read a paper on Dominican literature in the twentieth century.

In addition, a documentary about the Dominican Republic, prepared by Danilo Manera, presenting author in this city his anthology of Dominican poetry The invention of flight, while distributing the magazine will Quaderni di Casa America, dedicated Juan Bosch.

On Friday the 29^th , the Mirabal Rafaelito orchestra will perform at the Alba Music Festival, one of the most prestigious musical events in Italy, performing in the Plaza de la Catedral de Alba, in the course of the afternoon jazz section.

Dominican Culture Week in Italy will end on Sunday the 30^th, with the event Tropic in the hills, organized by the Foundation Mirafiori, which includes the photographic exhibition Memory of the sun.

At 9 _pm, at Plaza de Alba Savona, dance concert will be held with the orchestra of Rafaelito Mirabal, in the context of inter-cultural festival Macramé .

Throughout the development of this program, books and records of Dominican authors will be distributed.

The activity is part of the international agenda of Santo Domingo, American Capital of Culture 2010.

Santo Domingo Live, 30.04.10