Flor de Bethania Abreu receives award

Flor de Bethania Abreu receives award
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 07/04/2013

P resident Danilo Medina, by means of Decree 175-13, awarded the Duarte, Sánchez and Mella Order of Merit, in the grade of Knight, to actress Flor de Bethania Abreu, in recognition of her 60-year professional career and her contribution to the development of Dominican theater.

The renowned Dominican actress received the highest award bestowed by the government from the Minister of Culture, José Antonio Rodríguez, during the closing ceremony of the 2013 Third National Theatre Festival, which was organized by the Ministry of Culture.

“I think this is an honor that fills you with pride and I want to share it with all my colleagues,” said the actress.

“The celebration of the Third Theatre Festival has made me very happy, and my colleagues are also honored,” she stated.

Flor de Bethania Abreu concluded her address by thanking the Ministry of Culture, as well as playwright Franklin Domínguez, who decades ago introduced her to the theater and the arts scene.

The ceremony was held in the Máximo Aviles Blonda hall of the Palace of Fine Arts, where the Minister was accompanied by his wife Monica Despradel; actress Karina Noble, Director General of National and International Theater Festivals; Tommy García, Vice Minister of Creativity and Popular Participation; Franklin Domínguez, Director General of the Palace of Fine Arts; Luis De León, Deputy Minister of Education; as well as by Directors of the various departments.

When referring to the honoree, Minister Jose Antonio Rodríguez said: “To recognize someone during his/her lifetime is an act of justice, and so, today, we receive the great Dominican actress Flor de Bethania Abreu, during her lifetime, and we confer upon her the highest distinction awarded by the government.”

“For the Ministry of Culture, it is a great honor to present this award from the Dominican Government to our beloved and admired actress Flor de Bethania Abreu,” stated the Minister of Culture.

In her speech, Ms. Noble thanked Minister José Antonio Rodríguez for the commitment, dedication and interest he has demonstrated during the celebration of the 2013 Third Edition of the National Theatre Festival of Santo Domingo.