Guatemalan Minister of Culture and Sports Visits the Dominican Republic

With the goal of exchanging ideas about the various groups and communities, declared by UNESCO’s Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity from both countries, the Guatemalan Minister of Culture and Sports, Jerónimo Lancerio, paid a visit to his Dominican counterpart, José Rafael Lantigua and to the Brotherhood of the Congos of the Holy Spirit of Villa Mella.

The Guatemalan Minister said it is impressive how, through drums and güiras, the  Congos of Villa Mella continue to express Dominican culture. “We should take care of what we have…. “

Both Ministers agreed to hold the first meeting of the communities at the end of March, when they will also invite the Palanqueros of Colombia to be hosted in Guatemala by the Garifunas. The activity will be held in the town of Livingston in this Caribbean nation. 

The meeting, held under the auspices of the Board of Directors of the Museum of the Dominican Man and presided over by the anthropologist Juan Rodríguez Acosta, included members of the Congos of the Holy Spirit of Villa Mella and other cultural authorities.

The Culture and Sports Minister created the Technical Table for the Safe-Keeping, Revitalization and Development of the Garifuna Culture with the mission of creating a proposal to strengthen this Caribbean Guatemalan community. 

The Guatemalan Minister said it is impressive how, through drums and güiras, the  Congos of Villa Mella continue to express Dominican culture. “We should take care of what we have. The Congos are a living expression of the History of the Dominican Culture. It is, and will always be, an honor to be able to share with this amazing artistic group.”

Every cultural expression is understood as a view of the people and their way of being, creating, acting and transforming, “it is an essential ingredient for human development. For that reason, the government is obliged to incorporate this cultural dimension in its policies, plans and actions with the idea of improving and sustaining the quality of life and personal accomplishments of each of its inhabitants.”

One of the most important innovations of public policies is the endowment of the cultural dimension in the area of sustainable human development. “We will have meetings, in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, in which we will bring together our painters, theater groups, artisans, folk dancers and vice-versa,” between the countries, said Lancerio.

Juliana Avenecio Viuda Minier gives the Guatemalan Culture and Sports Minister, Jerónimo Lancerio, one of the musical instruments used in her presentation. Also, in the photo is the Director of the MHD, Juan Rodríguez.

Minister of Culture José Rafael Lantigua receives his Guatemalan counterpart, Jerónimo Lancerio, in his office.