Mariasela Álvarez and Gómez Díaz are the queen and king of the Carnival of Santo Domingo

Mariasela Álvarez and Gómez Díaz are the queen and king of the Carnival of Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, February 7, 2014

The former Miss World was crowned by the Minister of Culture José Antonio Rodríguez, together with singer Milly Quezada, last year’s carnival queen.

Tonight, the Ministry of Culture crowned communicator Mariasela Álvarez as Queen of the National Parade of the 2014 Carnival, and the King is television entrepreneur Juan Ramón Gómez Díaz, during the presentation of a colorful show full of emotions and joy and presided by Minister José Antonio Rodríguez.

The ceremony took place in the Enriquillo Sánchez Auditorium, where the audience enjoyed the presentation of the Guloyas of San Pedro de Macorís. Gómez Díaz was represented at the ceremony by Evelyn Batista, Director of Public Relations at Telemicro, since Gómez Días was unable to attend for reasons beyond his control.

Gladys Olea (Payasita Tiri), was crowned Queen of the Children’s Carnival and comedian Félix Peguero Hernández (Cambumbito), the King of the same Carnival. The Queen was recognized for her contributions to the staging of the character “La Payasita Tiri”, and the King for the creation of more than 50 characters.

The Felipe Abreu Award was presented to physician, researcher, athlete, and folklorist José Guillermo Mieses, in recognition of his career and contributions to the traditional carnival parade. Arquímedes Bargés and Francisco Antonio Arias, carnival enthusiasts, received special mentions as well.

The honorees are selected each year in recognition of their valuable contributions to the country’s culture and carnival events, thereby contributing to the continuity of this Dominican tradition.
Plaques of recognition were presented to representatives of the municipalities of Higüey, La Romana, El Seibo, Hato Mayor, San Pedro de Macorís, and Monte Plata.

The welcoming remarks were offered by the Director of the Carnival, Ramón Lachapelle, who stressed the importance of this event as a Dominican cultural expression.

The Minister of Culture, José Antonio Rodríguez, while delivering brief remarks at the ceremony, said he was happy to participate again in the installation of the carnival in the hope that the 2014 carnival exceeds its predecessor.

He said that the various eastern provinces to which the carnival is dedicated constitute an expression of the value of the culture of the eastern region. He spoke of the importance of keeping alive the interest in the Robalagallina, Los Guloyas, and the other artistic expressions of the Dominican people.

He announced that the Ministry of Culture will be present in every carnival in the country with a float specially designed to highlight the roots of the various communities of the national territory.
The Ministry of Culture was accompanied by Carlos Santos, Deputy Minister in charge of Institutional Development; Pedro Núñez del Risco, Director General of Events; Ramón Lachapelle, Director of Cultural Management and Carnival; and, other officers of the Ministry of Culture.

Among the past kings and queens of the Carnival are: Sergio Vargas and Hanoi Sánchez; Cesar Arturo Abreu and Esther Mieses; Fidelina José de Báez and Dagoberto Tejeda Ortiz; Piro Antonio Espinal and Ana Margarita Lorenzo Montilla; José López (Mamón) and Francia Oliva Escanio.