Dominican Ministry of Culture Highlights Ties Between Spain and Latin America

Madrid, Spain, May 31, 2019 – The Minister of Culture of the Dominican Republic, Architect Eduardo Selman, highlighted the cultural legacy of Spain in Latin America during remarks delivered during the opening of the 78th Annual Madrid Book Fair.

Minister Selman – who headed the official Dominican delegation to the Fair, where the Dominican Republic is the invited nation – stated that Spain brought to Latin America its language, customs and traditions and that through these important cultural ties it has maintained a bond that has lasted for more than 500 years.

“It is opportune to recognize that it was from these lands that the New World received its cultural foundation,” explained the Minister of Culture of the Dominican Republic. And it was precisely in what is now the Dominican Republic that the first Spanish settlement was established in the Americas, in La Isabela, situated outside the north coast city of Puerto Plata.

Architect Selman highlighted the particular relationship that, historically, the Dominican Republic has maintained with Spain. He thanked the Fair organizers for their permanent solidarity “throughout our long-standing relationship.”

The Minister of Culture also discussed the importance of choosing the Dominican Republic as the Fair’s Invited Nation. It is an important opportunity for Dominican writers and artists to present their literary works and other cultural expressions.

He also delivered a message of gratitude sent by Dominican President Danilo Medina, in the name of his Government and all Dominicans. Also, he thanked the Entrepreneurial Association of the Book Industry of Madrid “…for the distinction of dedicating the Fair to the Dominican Republic.”

In his keynote remarks Minister Selman explained that the Fair will honor three stellar figures of Dominican literature: Pedro Henríquez Ureña (1884-1946); writer and former President of the country, Juan Bosch (1909-2001); and novelist and anthropologist Marcio Veloz Maggiolo.
Minister Selman also recognized the efforts carried out by the Dominican Ambassador in Madrid, Dr. Olivo Rodríguez Huertas, in order to have the Fair’s organizing committee choose the Dominican Republic as this year’s invited nation.
During the book Fair, the Dominican delegation will carry out a cultural program that will include some 100 activities. Also, close to 100 writers, intellectuals and artists will represent the country during the event.