Alcázar de Colón Museum Pays Homage to Pedro Mir

Alcázar de Colón Museum Pays Homage to Pedro Mir
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 1/25/2013

The Alcázar Vice Regal Palace of the Colón Museum, part of the Ministry of Culture, hosted “Pedro Mir: Performance, Image, Winds, Sound and Words,” which consisted of a performance of the poem “Hay un País en el Mundo” (There is a Country in the World). Culture Minister, José Antonio Rodríguez hosted the activity.

Words of welcome were given by Ms. Astacio, who stressed the importance of the program and the participation of Dr. RadhamésPolanco, Director of the National School for Dramatic Arts as well as José Antonio Sánchez andQuilda Maritza who enacted the poem.

Prior to the presentation, Minister Rodríguezpresented a donation to Carmen Mir, the widow of the national poet in the presence of the Museum Director, RaysaAstacioand Carlos Salcedo, Director of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Culture.Also present at the activity was the Councilor of the Embassy of Taiwan, Domingo Ja.

Words of welcome were given by Ms. Astacio, who stressed the importance of the program and the participation of Dr. RadhamésPolanco, Director of the National School for Dramatic Arts as well as José Antonio Sánchez andQuilda Maritza who enacted the poem.

Those attending the event enjoyed the excellent characterization and recitation done to the sound of drums, maracas and wind instruments. The public also participated in the piece, encouraged by the performers who asked questions and exchanged ideas with the audience about the life and work of Pedro Mir.

Throughout the night, the strength and depth of Pedro Mir’s creativity, imagination and love of poetry became clear to everyone, audience and performers alike.

The event, which was full including the balcony of this colonial building, was held as part of the centennial anniversary of the birth of Pedro Mir, who passed away in 2000.

While the performance was going on, students and graduates of the School for Dramatic Arts drew pictures of Pedro Mir.

This first night of readings of Mir’s poetry marks the beginning of a series of 12 presentations, to be set to music, throughout 2013, thus fulfilling one of the objectives of the Alcázar Colón Museum to extend the promotion of this colonial heritage site.

The activity will be distributed through a collection of CDs that will contain recordings of each event and will be promoted in schools and other institutions as part of the historical-cultural heritage for posterity.

This eventwas designed by the Alcázar Colón Museum under the direction of RaysaAstacio. Others who worked for the opening of this event included Dr. RadhamésPolanco, director National School for Dramatic Arts in addition tothe National School for Visual Arts and the National Conservatory of Music.