Minister of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua, was inducted as a member of the Dominican Academy of Language during a solemn ceremony overseen by President Fernández. Upon being inducted into the Academy, Lantigua gave a speech on the topic “Literary Conduct: A Foundational Discourse.”

Minister Lantigua replaces Monsignor Adolfo Alejandro Nouel, founder and first president of the Academy of Language, sixty years after his death.

Minister Lantigua replaces Monsignor Adolfo Alejandro Nouel, founder and first president of the Academy of Language, sixty years after his death.

Director of the Academy, Bruno Rosario Candelier, presented the medal and diploma that formalized Mr. Lantigua´s membership in the Dominican Academy of Language.

Monsignor Nicolás de Jesús Cardenal López Rodríguez gave a speech welcoming Mr. Lantigua into the Academy.

Dominican writers, poets, journalists and intellectuals attended the ceremony along with Lantigua´s friends and relatives.

President Fernández, his wife Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, Nicolás de Jesús Cardenal López Rodríguez, the writer Federico Henríquez Gratereaux, and Bruno Rosario Candelier, Director of the Dominican Academy of Language all sat at the table of honor with the President at the head.

The cultural activity was also attended by a provincial commission from Espaillat, Lantigua´s hometown. The Espaillat delegation was led by Dr. Guarocuya Cabral.