Culture Ministry Celebrating African Ancestry Communities Year

Culture Ministry Celebrating African Ancestry Communities Year
Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, 06/13/2011

On the occasion of International African Ancestry Year, the Ministry of Culture has put together an intense program of activities which seek to emphasize African heritage, cultural values and traditions.

There will be two great events in August. The first, Wednesday August 10th , will be a festival of original African-Dominican ancestry groups in the esplanade of the Capilla de Los Mina Viejo. The second event, August 25th , will be a public recognition of Dominican symbols of African descent.

The activities developed for these coming months include support for festivities in the community of Mercedes de la Victoria; the Festival of Atabales de Haina; the Fiesta of San José, in Pedro Santana; the Fiestas de la Dolorita, of Villa Mella; the Fiesta of the Ga-gá, of La Romana; the Festival of the Congos of Villa Mella and the Fiesta of Santísima Cruz of Baní. In addition, the release of the book, “San Juan Bautista y la Sarandunga de Baní,” by Dagoberto Tejeda. There will also be the Festival of La Sarandunga in Baní.

The intense program, which includes conferences, colloquiums, performances, publications and an homage, will continue on Monday July 18 with the International Conference entitled “Presence of Africa in the Caribbean, the Antilles and the United States.” The conference will be held in the la Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo.

The following day commemorative plaques will be installed along the African Ancestry route in preparation for Sunday, the 24th, when there will be a tour along the route. Toward the end of July, a Master Conference on Liborio Mateo, will be given by historian Roberto Cassá, on Thursday July 28th at the General Archive of the Nation.

There will be two great events in August. The first, Wednesday August 10th , will be a festival of original African-Dominican ancestry groups in the esplanade of the Capilla de Los Mina Viejo. The second event, August 25th , will be a public recognition of Dominican symbols of African descent.

The Liborio Mateo International Festival will take place in September in San Juan de la Maguana where the Monument to Lemba will be inaugurated. The monument is located in the Concepción Fort across from Independence Park. Wrapping up the month’s activities will be the release of the book, “Gagá dominicano” by June Rosemberg.
In the town of Ingenio Boca de Nigua, there will be a Colloquium in October on the Rebellion that took place here. On Tuesday November 1st, a floral wreathe will be laid in honor of Mamá Tingó en Yamasá.

November 11 – 13, a National Seminar on the presence and legacy of African heritage in the Dominican Republic will take place. On Wednesday November 16, there will be a gathering to encourage the appreciation of African Heritage in society as well as an appreciation of Afro- Dominican Food. These events will be held at UNESCO headquarters. The program will come to an end on Sunday the 20th of November at Mata Los Indios, Villa Mella, where the Festivities of San Miguel de Eneroliza will be celebrated.