The Ministry of Culture Approves 123 Projects for Implementation in 30 Provinces in 2014

The Ministry of Culture Approves 123 Projects for Implementation in 30 Provinces in 2014
Santo Domingo, December 8, 2013

On Saturday, the Ministry of Culture concluded the round of provincial meetings of the First Call for Cultural Projects. During those meetings, 123 initiatives were approved for implementation in 2014, an event that is unprecedented in the State policy for that sector, as the Minister of Culture José Antonio Rodríguez pointed out.

22 proposals were approved during the ninth provincial meeting that took place at the Professor Juan Bosch Library of this city, located in the South Cibao region, which comprises the provinces of Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, and Sánchez Ramírez.

The Directorate of Communications of the Ministry of Culture informed that the tenth and final meeting is still pending and that it will take place in the National District and in the Santo Domingo province.  The meeting will convoke cultural managers from both districts.

The 123 approved cultural initiatives will be part of the work plan to be implemented by the Ministry of Culture in 2014, with budget lines included in the Dominican government Budget of Revenue and in the Expenditures Legislation, Rodríguez said.

During the ninth meeting, five projects were approved for Sánchez Ramírez: Los Paseos Historic Murals; the Creation and Development of La Piña Cultural House, Fantino; the Fantino Classic Ballet School; the Cultural and Gastronomic Development Fair in the La Piña Industry; and, the Las Guácaras Conservation and Dissemination Program.

Ten projects were approved for La Vega: Cuéntamelo Cantando, stories of Juan Bosch made ??into songs; the Jeremías Rural Prints; the Dominican Republic in 3D; the XVI Student Theatre Festival; Colors on the Mountain; Rural Workshop on Plastic and Visual Arts; Design, Construction, and Management of a Cultural Portal; Artisan Henequen; Poetry Festival on the Mountain; Restoration of the Indian Stone; and, the School of Working Crafts.

Six projects were approved for Monseñor Nouel: the Municipal School of Music Training; the First Provincial Literary Competition; the Artistic and Musical School for the Disabled; the Arts and Literature School; the Renovation and Strengthening of the Vivaldi School of Music; and, the Transfer of the Tradition of the Hand-carved Santos de Palo (wooden figures of Saints).

The following authorities were in attendance at the Professor Juan Bosch Municipal Library: Minister Rodríguez; Senator Félix Nova; Miguel Ángel Genao, Governor; Héctor Nina, Director of the Center; and, Diomedes Núñez, Director of the National Library, among other officials and local personalities.

The discussions were led by the Director of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Culture, Carlos Salcedo. The projects that made the short list at the beginning of the meeting were presented by Carlos Santos, Coordinator of the Vice Ministry of Institutional Development.

The Minister declared Monseñor Nouel as “Cultural City” due to its historical and traditional heritage. Other prominent personalities and regional groups were also honored, including the late visual artist Cándido Bidó, and Carmen García, for their contributions to the traditions of Bonao.