Culture Ministry Launches Book “The Master of Disguise and History of the Ali Babas”

Culture Ministry Launches Book “The Master of Disguise and History of the Ali Babas”
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 05/03/13

The Ministry of Culture’s General Directorate and Carnival ManagementOfficehas launched the new book,“The Master of Disguise and History of the Ali Babas” at a ceremony in the Ramón Oviedo Art Hall in the presence of young people and adults interested in Carnival issues.

The book goes into the history of the Ali Babasand other traditional characters of the Dominican Carnival through the years. It also relates great Carnival moments.

Ramón Lachapelle, Director of the Carnival Management Office; León Félix Batista, Director of Literary Projects; Gustavo “Tico” Batista, author of the book and Ramón Rivas, Deputy Director of Management and Carnival, sat at the table of honor.

The book goes into the history of the Ali Babasand other traditional characters of the Dominican Carnival through the years. It also relates great Carnival moments.

León Félix Batista spoke with great pride about the publication of his brother’s first book, which he hoped would be the first of many in his literary career of books that will benefit Dominican literature and culture.

He said this book is written from the point of view of someone who has experienced carnival, dressing up in the costumes for decades in Santo Domingo as well as New York.

Ramón Rivas also spoke at the event, relating some of his own experiences in the various carnival groups along withTico Batista, who he described as a person who well knows the life of a carnival participant.

He read some passages from the book and invited the public to get to know more about the various characters that form part of the Dominican Carnival tradition.

Finally, author Tico Batista thanked his family for being with him on this special occasion as well as others who attended the book launch. He also thanked the Ministry of Culture for providing this opportunity.

Book cover.


Table of honor: Ramón Rivas, Gustavo “Tico” Batista, León Félix Batista and Ramón Lachapelle.


Book author, Gustavo “Tico” Batista