Ministry of Culture Commemorates 527 Anniversary of the Arrival of Christopher Columbus to America

Santo Domingo, October 11, 2019 – The Ministry of Culture of the Dominican Republic commemorated on Saturday, October 12, the 527th anniversary of the arrival of Admiral Christopher Columbus to America in 1492. The arrival is known as the meeting of two worlds, an event that changed the history of humanity forever.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and the Columbus Lighthouse Museum, prepared a special program to commemorate the historic event. The program began at 10:00 a.m. at the Lighthouse Museum, situated in the eastern region of Santo Domingo.

The program began with the presentation of the Dominican Navy Honor Guard who initiated the ceremony by playing the Dominican and Pan American National Anthems. The Dominican Navy is in charge of the protocol surrounding the Lighthouse and the museum.

The opening ceremony was headed by the Vice Minister of Cultural Patrimony, Federico Henríquez Gratereaux, who represented the Minister of Culture, Eduardo Selman. The Governor of the Museum, Diógenes González, also headed the opening event and pronounced the opening keynote remarks.

Once the speeches were delivered, Museum Governor González – accompanied by Monsignor Benito Ángeles – proceeded to open the sarcophagus where the remains of Admiral Christopher Columbus are buried. Floral wreaths were deposited at the tomb site in honor the Admiral.

Members of the diplomatic and consular corps, as well as top government and military officials participated in the special ceremony.