DR Embassy in France Holds Conferences on Dominican Identity and Folklore

France, June 9, 2019 – The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in France hosted a series of conferences on the “Dominican Republic: Folklore and Identity” and on “Jumping the Stick with Xiomarita” (Brinca la tablita con Xiomarita), headed by Dominican folklorist and researcher Xiomarita Pérez.

The conferences were held as part of a cycle of activities organized by the Dominican Embassy to celebrate Latin American and Caribbean Week 2019 in France.

In the first conference, held on June 4, folk specialist Xiomarita Pérez used an interesting series of images and utensils that are no longer used in the country, in order to transport the participants into the period where some important Dominican customs and traditions began.

Ms. Pérez explained that “culture is not rescued but is rather transformed depending on the needs” of the population. She also stated that a culture with so many foreign influences such as ours is important to differentiate what is foreign and what actually belongs to us as a nation. She also highlighted the importance of diversity and preserving the identity of Dominicans.

During the opening event, Ms. Pérez thanked the Dominican Ambassador in France, Rosa Hernández de Grullón, for the opportunity to bring part of Dominican culture to this important European nation.

The second activity was held June 5 and its goal was to provide the children of the Dominican diaspora in France, as well as their parents, a fun activity that taught them about the origins of Dominican folklore music as well as other children-related traditions of the Dominican Republic.

The audience expressed their satisfaction with both events, and thanked the organizers for providing them with the opportunity to share the experience with their children. During the event varied Dominican dishes, pastries and desserts were served for everyone’s enjoyment.