More than 40 Dominican Artisans Exhibit Their Arts and Crafts to Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Santo Domingo, August 17, 2019 – The Dominican Ministry of Foreign Relations organized an exhibit that brought together some of the country´s best artisans for the enjoyment of the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in the country.

The exhibit was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, thus complying with an agreement signed by both institutions to work together to highlight Dominican culture throughout the world.

Other sponsors included the program “Manos Dominicanas” (Dominican Hands), an arts and crafts program headed by the Vice President´s Office and operated through the “Progresando con Solidaridad” (PROSOLI) initiative. The program works with Dominican families to help encourage Dominican talent in this particular area and thus improve their overall income and quality of life.

Some 40 artisans from the National Arts & Crafts Center (CENADARTE), with the support of the Dominican Development Foundation (FDD), participated in the exhibit. The event was held at the Eduardo Latorre Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hundreds of original pieces – including one-of-a-kind exquisitely made pieces – made by Dominican hands, were exhibited. Some of these pieces included jewelry made with Larimar stones and amber, textiles, typical musical instruments, pieces made out of valuable wood pieces, recycled metal objects, arts and crafts made from coconut shells, as well as many other pieces.

Also, the traditional raggedy dolls made from fabric, ceramic dolls, handbags, rugs, among other items, were also exhibited.

Ministers Selman and Vargas Also Visit the Exhibit

Minister of Culture Eduardo Selman and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Vargas, visited the well-attended exhibit, accompanied by the General Director of CENADARTE, Valentín Guerrero; Ambassador María de los Ángeles García de Vargas and Rosa María Nadal, head of the Foreign Ministry´s Cultural Department.

Also in attendance were Cayo Claudio Espinal, Vice Minister of Culture and Mariano Frontera Martinez, Executive Director of the Dominican Development Foundation.

A country´s arts and craft culture has much to do with nation´s culture and traditions. Hundreds of Dominicans work in this particular sector, which is a sure attraction for the millions of tourists who visit the country annually.

The National Artisan Center CENADARTE) reports to the Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic. Its main goal is to train Dominican youth in the creation of local arts and crafts.