Global Foundation for Democracy (GFDD) and its sister institution in Santo Domingo, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, inaugurated the photography exposition, “New Perspectives from the Dominican Republic: A Country From the Sky.”  The photo expo, being held in Santo Domingo’s Independence Park, will be on display until June 30.

New Perspectives: Dominican Republic is a masterly compiled 300 page bilingual English-Spanish publication comprised of nearly 400 aerial images.

The event will showcase images from the book New Perspectives: Dominican Republic, a publication by GFDD and FUNGLODE realized by an international interdisciplinary team led by Project Director and Editor-in-Chief, Natasha Despotovic. The photos featured in the book are by photographer Anne Casale.

The show opened just after 6:00 pm following welcome remarks given by Frederic Emam-Zadé, FUNGLODE General Director. Mr. Emam-Zadé said the aerial photographs capture the most beautiful parts of the country from a perspective that most of do not get to see.

Lourdes Camilo de Cuello, Deputy Minister of Culture, was overjoyed with the opening of this exhibition, which she hopes will stimulate a move to keep protect the nation’s beaches, preserve its archeological heritage and strengthen cultural identity. She spoke about how Independence Park has turned into a public gallery in that it has hosted various shows and exhibitions since 2004, bringing art to a wide variety of people who might otherwise not have a chance see it.

Photographer Anne Casale said she was honored to participate in the New Perspectives: Dominican Republic, a project promoted by President Leonel Fernández. “This exhibition gives us all a chance to enjoy the diversity of colors and contrasts the country has to offer.

The Dominican Republic has a vast wealth of natural beauty, much more than just its beaches,” said Ms. Casale.

The exposition features 130 images from the provinces of: Samaná, La Altagracia, Santiago Rodríguez, Santo Domingo, Perdenales, Barahona, Monte Cristi, Valverde, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Espaillat, Salcedo, María Trinidad Sánchez, Duarte, Hato Mayor, El Seibo, La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Plata, San Cristóbal, San José, Azua, La Vega, San José de Ocoa, Sánchez Ramírez, Peravia, Monseñor Nouel, Independencia, Bahoruco, Elías Piña and Dajabón.

New Perspectives: Dominican Republic is a masterly compiled 300 page bilingual English-Spanish publication comprised of nearly 400 aerial images. The publication is divided into 9 chapters – Reflections of Light, Coasts, Heights, Plains, History, City, People, Tourism and Work – that contain images and text describing various aspects of the country’s history, culture, ecology and contemporary life.
The creation and publication of the book form part of GFDD and FUNGLODE’s overall mission to promote the image of the Dominican Republic worldwide, disseminate information concerning the country and strengthen appreciation and respect for its culture and ecological heritage.

GFDD and FUNGLODE hope that the book will serve as a point of reference for the national population and the numerous Dominicans that reside outside as the country, as well as for international visitors, the nation’s commercial sector, students, art and photography aficionados and all those interested in developing a better understanding of the Dominican Republic.

The book can be acquired from FUNGLODE Headquarters in Santo Domingo and GFDD’s offices in New York and Washington, DC. It may also be acquired online at: www.dominicanaonline.org/shopping