Samaná artisans will be the central figures at the XI National Crafts Fair

Samaná artisans will be the central figures at the XI National Crafts Fair
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, September 24, 2012

The2012 XI National Crafts Fair will be held this coming December 13 through the 16, and will be dedicated to the artisans of the SamanáProvince, for their contribution to the development of the Dominican handicraft industry and for the originality of their work.

At the meeting it was agreed to work with determination in the development of the pieces, in order for the final product to comply with the quality, originality and the other characteristics that the Ministry of Culture requires.

This province, which is famous for its beautiful and crystal clearbeaches, as well as for its lush vegetation, in addition to being one of the most visited tourist spots in the country, is also known for the variety of its handicrafts and for the use of coconut and wood as raw materials.

According to a news release from the Ministry of Culture’s Department of Communications, this crafts fair is being organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Progresando con Solidaridad (Progressing with Solidarity) program. Artisans from Moca, Lavega, Santiago, Bonao, San José de Ocoa and the National District, among other cities, will participate in the fair.

With the objective of ensuring the top quality of the craftsmanship to be displayed at the eleventh edition of the National Crafts Fair, a commission from the Ministry of Culture, headed by the Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage Lourdes Camilode Cuello, met with the crafts producers of Samaná, which is located in the northeast of the Dominican Republic.

At the meeting it was agreed to work with determination in the development of the pieces, in order for the final product to comply with the quality, originality and the other characteristics that the Ministry of Culture requires.

The meeting was attended by Luisa Castillo, Director of the Department of Cultural Crafts Fairs; Geo Ripley, Head of the Department of Intangible Patrimony; and Vicenta Medina Geronimo, Provincial Director of Culture of Samaná.

The objective of the National Crafts Fair, which has taken place during the past 11 years, is to stimulate the creativity of the artistic expressions, to promote the Dominican cultural identity and diversity, and to support an industry that generates wealth, through the promotion of its competitiveness in the local and international markets.

300 artisans from all provinces in the country are expected to participate in this crafts fair. They will exhibit their finest creations to local and foreign visitorsat the Parque Colón, which is located in the Colonial City.