Street Named for Rosa Francia Esquea at Book Fair

Street Named for Rosa Francia Esquea at Book Fair
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 4/24/2013

The Ministry of Culture and General Directorate of the International Book Fair honored Rosa Francia Esquea, writer and journalist, for her personal and professional dedication to children’s literature. They named a street in her honor in the Juan Pablo Duarte Culture Plaza.

The dedication ceremony was presided over by Valentín Amaro and Pedro Antonio Valdez, Executive and Director General of the Book Fair 2013, respectively; Rosa Francia Esquea, …

The dedication ceremony was presided over by Valentín Amaro and Pedro Antonio Valdez, Executive and Director General of the Book Fair 2013, respectively; Rosa Francia Esquea, and representatives of the Andrea Jiménez Literary Workshop from of Gualeyand the general public.

Among the personalities who were with the Ms. Francia Esquea on her special day included Ruth Herrera, director of Alfaguara Publishing; Emmanuel Esquea Guerrero, PRD leader; University Professor Clara Benedicto; Xiomarita Pérez, Folklore researcher and Yenny Polanco Lovera.

In her appreciation speech, Rosa Francia Esquea said the fact that the organizing team of the International Book Fair decided to name a street after her in the fairgrounds is a great and joyful honor for her as well as a personal commitment for her to continue her writing.

“From now on, I will produce more and better contributions, especially in the area of children’s literature that has been my most important motivation in these recent years and which brings me a great deal of joy,” said Ms. Francia Esquea.

Esquea, editor of the children’s magazine “Tinmarín”, which appears in Hoy newspaper, feels that children needfor her to write for them because they enjoy her writing and,through it, they can participate in creative activities and also learn to appreciate literature as well as produce it themselves.

“I want to stress the importance of this Book Fair because it is here that we find a range of texts, images, games, diversions and other activities that encourage creativity among boys and girls,” said the writer.

Meanwhile, Pedro Antonio Valdez, giving the keynote speech, said the street-naming ceremony is the most important eventsat the Book Fair that honors a particular writer, who this year is being bestowed upon Rosa Francia Esquea, outstanding author who has dedicated herself to children and to history. “For us here at the Ministry of Culture and the General Directorate of the Book Fair, it is an honor to be able to name a street after her on this day.”

Those present heard more about the children’s writer and about her history as a journalist through a biographical sketch made by the young artist, Milcíades Ventura Lembert, who took part in the Andrea Jiménez Literary Workshop in Gualey.

Rosa Francia Esquea has written numerous books, including “El milagro de la solidaridad,” “Juegos, recuerdos y tradiciones,” “Versos de mi país,” “Las mariposas” and “Piloncito y jalao.” The latter will be launched at the Book Fair.


Children’s writer, Rosa Francia Esquea, receiving her recognition from Pedro Antonio Valdez and Valentín Amaro.


Rosa Francia Esquea with young people from the National School for Visual Arts who painted a portrait of her face.