Ministry of Culture pays tribute to accordionist Tatico Henríquez

Ministry of Culture pays tribute to accordionist Tatico Henríquez
Santo Domingo, September 10, 2013

Accordionist Tatico Henríquez, who became a benchmark for folk music when he was alive, was honored by the Ministry of Culture with a commemorative plaque as a posthumous tribute to his dedication and contribution to the development of that musical genre.
The recognition was awarded for being one of the great architects of the development, preservation and validity of merengue, in adherence to the roots and traditions.
Domingo García Henríquez, popularly known as “Tatico”, was born on July 30th, 1943 in Los Ranchos, Mata Bonita community, in the municipality of Nagua, and died on May 23rd, 1976, in a traffic accident in Santiago de Los Caballeros.

The award ceremony took place at the home where he was born and raised, located in the community of La Gorda. The ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Culture, José Antonio Rodríguez.

The commemorative plaque will be placed in the house, which is currently under renovation to transform it into a music museum bearing the name of the artist.
This recognition took place in the context of the artistic and cultural event organized by the authorities of the provinces participating in the National Call for Cultural Projects in María Trinidad Sánchez, as part of the work plan launched by the Ministry of Culture to decentralize cultural management in the country.
The artistic event ended on Sunday, the 8th of September, with the presentation of the Tatico Henríquez Folk Music Festival, in the park that bears his name, which is located across from the Government building. The event was dedicated to Bartolo Alvarado (The Cieguito of Nagua). Other folk groups that were also featured were: Martin Núñez, Papi Díaz, and Adolfo Díaz, among others.
The Minister was accompanied by Juan Tomás García, coordinator of the Vice-Ministry of Creativity and Popular Participation; Rafael Guillermo Martínez, National Director of Provinces; and writer Rafael Chaljub Mejía, the event Coordinator.
Mrs. Eva Chaljub, who was the wife of the beloved accordionist, received the commemorative plaque from the hands of the Minister of Culture. On behalf of the community, the lady expressed gratitude and appreciation for the unforgettable moment that celebrated the legacy of the merengue artist.

Minister José A. Rodríguez, visited the house where the Dominican Accordionist Tatico Henríquez lived. His widow Mrs. Elba Chaljub Mejía, received the posthumous recognition from the Ministry to Tatico Henríquez (1943-1976).