Culture Ministry Inaugurates VII Regional Book Fair Barahona 2011

Culture Ministry Inaugurates VII Regional Book Fair Barahona 2011
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 9/ 21/2011

The Ministry of Culture (MINC in Spanish) officially inaugurated “VII Regional Book Fair, Barahona 2011” in a ceremony presided over by Dominican Vice President Rafael Alburquerque and José Rafael Lantigua, Minister of Culture.

The event opened with the National Anthem played by the Children’s Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Claudia Martínez.

Also present at the opening event were Monseñor Rafael Leónidas Felipe Núñez, Bishop of the Diocese of Barahona; Pedro Peña Rubio, Governor of the province; Noel Octavio Suberví Nin, Mayor of Barahona; Eddy Mateo Vásquez, Senator of the province; Miguel Leger, Regional Director of Culture; Alejandro Arvelo, Director General of the Book Fair and Flavia García, of the Barahona Residents Committee of Santo Domingo.

The event opened with the National Anthem played by the Children’s Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Claudia Martínez.

This was followed by Monsignor Rafael Leónidas Felipe Núñez who offered words of appreciation. Then, Barahona Mayor, Octavio Suberví Nin, extended his appreciation to the authorities for having selected Barahona as the venue for the VII Regional Book Fair, saying that this event “is of great importance for the development of culture” and that “Barahona will not be the same after the Book Fair.”

The main speech was given by Alejandro Arvelo, Director General of the Book Fair, who announced a donation of one thousand books to be given to the Municipal Library as well as a fully- equipped mobile library for the Hans Christian Andersen Foundation. These donations are being made on the part of the Ministry of Culture.

Later, a documentary film was shown on the history of Barahona and the nine volumes of the Rumbo Sur collection, produced by the MINC’s Office of Communication and Audiovisuals.

This was followed by the handing out of recognition plaques to the writer, Diógenes Valdez, the Regional University Center of the Southwest (CURSO in Spanish) of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, the Perelló Cultural Center and the Aníbal Montaño and Kinito Méndez Foundations.

The event is taking place in the area around Central Park in front of the Athenaeum of Barahona. The slogan of the Book Fair is “Reading Opens Doors.”

The cutting of the Ribbon of Honor was done by Vice President Rafael Alburquerque and the Minister of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua, along with the other members of the Table of Honor. This act marked the formal opening of the VII Regional Book Fair. Kinito Méndez and his orchestra took care of musical entertainment for the event.

Throughout this five-day Book Fair, there will be more than 240 activities going on in which the following ten provinces of the region will be taking part: Azua, Bahoruco, Barahona, Elías Piña, Independencia, Pedernales, Peravia, San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa and San Juan.

The event is taking place in the area around Central Park in front of the Athenaeum of Barahona. The slogan of the Book Fair is “Reading Opens Doors.”

Cutting the ribbon to officially open the VII Regional Book Fair, Barahona 2011.

Kinito Méndez and his orchestra took care of the musical entertainment.