Ministry of Culture Announces Winners of National Carnival Parade

Ministry of Culture Announces Winners of National Carnival Parade
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 3/6/2012

The Ministry of Culture announced the names of the winning troupes of the National Carnival Parade, held on Sunday along the waterfront promenade, which included the participation of more than 100 troupes from around the country.

The winner of the Grand Prize was Lions of the Devil (Los Leones del Diablo) of Greater Santo Domingo who received a 500,000 cash prize.

The winner of the Grand Prize was Lions of the Devil (Los Leones del Diablo) of Greater Santo Domingo who received a 500,000 cash prize.

In the Individual Character category, they took first place. Second place went to Sun Fantasia of the Caribbean, from Greater Santo Domingo and third place to The Dragon, from La Romana.

Fantasia China, Dynasty of a Samurai, from Greater Santo Domingo, won first place in the Fantasia category followed by Fantasia of Ali Baba, also from Greater Santo Domingo then Re-creating the King of Silent Film: Charlie Chaplin, from Bani.

In the Ali Baba category the Fantastic Creation won first place; Villa María is a Carnival, Homage to Nereyda Rodríguez, took second place and Tropical Fantasia Inspired in Venice, third place. All three belong to Greater Santo Domingo.

The Campesinos (Peasants), from Sabana Grande, Boyá, won first place in the Historical Category followed by Imperial Roman, from Santo Domingo East and Africa in Carnival, from the National District of Santo Domingo.

Los Lechones (Suckling Pigs) from Santiago de los Caballeros, won first place in the Diablos category, followed by Los Diablos Santificadores (Holy Devils) from Barahona  and Yucahu Tribe from Puerto Plata took third.

In the Popular Creativity category, the Missionaries (Las Misioneras) dance troup from  San Juan de la Maguana won first place. The dance troupe Los Brujos, also from San Juan, took second and Los Pintaos from Barahona came in third.

In the Traditional category, Los Gagá from Boca Chica came in first; Los Tiznaos from La Victoria took second and third place was won by Los Lechones from Santiago de los Caballeros.

Finally, in the Masks category, three people from Santiago were voted to have the best masks:  Rafael Alejandro Tolentino, Angel Ramos and Johnny Cruz.

The jury, presided over by anthropologist Virginia Roca, was comprised of anthropologists Carlos Andújar, Luisa Mateo Dicló and Juan Rodríguez; musician and folklorist, Eddy Sánchez; dance teacher, Manuela Feliz as well as several journalists, including Nelson Rodríguez, Jonathan Liriano, José Antonio Aybar and Jorge Ramos.

Other judges included Awilda Reyes of the León Center; theater director, Claudio Rivera of the Guloya Theater; singer Diómedes Núñez; folk dancer Wanda Camilo and cultural programmers Víctor Piñeyro and Verónica Sención.

Coordination of the jury was under the direction of Xiomarita Pérez, National Director of Folklore.


Bride of the Carnival: Winner of the Individual Category


The Missionaries: First Place in Popular Creativity Category

Lions of the Devil: Winner of the Grand Prize


Lions of the Devil: Winner of the Grand Prize