The Ministry of Culture and CECC/SICA organize support program for Afro-descendants in the Dominican Republic

The Ministry of Culture and CECC/SICA organize support program for Afro-descendants in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo Norte, Los Mercedes, July 31^th 2014

With the organization of a very interesting forum-workshop titled “Voyage, Heritage, and Legacy of Enslaved African Women”, the Ministry of Culture, in coordination with the Kalalú Danza Foundation located within this community, opened a program of activities corresponding to the project “The Afro-descendance in the Process of Formation of the Dominican Culture”,which took place on Sunday, July 27^th.

The main objective of this activity was the strengthening of historical heritage, multicultural legacy, and the integration of communities in the framework of the Caribbean Cultural Corridor, …

This activity, whichwill close on Friday, September 26th, 2014, has been organized by the Ministry of Culture through the Vice Ministry of Institutional Development, the Vice Ministry of Cultural Heritage, and Directorate-General of Education and Training, with the support of the Central American Coordination for Education and Culture CECC/SICA and the sponsorship of the Republic of China (Taiwan).  

This activity was held in the framework of the Caribbean Cultural Corridor and in commemoration of the International Year of the Afro-descendant Communities. It was directed by Mr. Carlos Santos, Deputy Minister of Institutional Development of the Ministry of Culture.

Mr. Carlos Santos was accompanied by the Director of the Kalalú Danza Foundation, Máxima Marili Gallardo; the Director of Education and Training of the Ministry of Culture, Rosa Elena Rodríguez; and Rafael Puello and Margareth Frías, who both coordinated the activity.

In addition, representatives of institutions and communities, including Los Morenos and Mata Los Indios from Villa Mella, Guerra, Los Castillos, Sanana Perdida, María Auxiliadora, Acción Afroamericana, Ce-Mujer, and the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), also participated in the activity.

The main objective of this activity was the strengthening of historical heritage, multicultural legacy, and the integration of communities in the framework of the Caribbean Cultural Corridor, and through local and regional actions that stimulate socioeconomic development, as well as the promotion and consolidation of cultural peace in Central America and the Dominican Republic.

Santos spoke about the historical importance that this activity encompasses in maintaining traditions, as well as the interests of the Ministry of Culture, to foster closer ties with the Afro-descendant communities nation wide.

In turn, Máxima Marili Gallardo, Director of the Kalalú Danza Foundation, thanked the Ministry of Culture, on behalf of the Afro-descendant community, for its support in this event. 

Within the program of the event, a forum titled “Challenges and Opportunities that Young Women of Color Presently Face” took place, as well as other activities that included creative dances, hymns, group music, and movements of oral tradition that were conducted by a cast of Afro-descendant actresses that are students at the Foundation.

The Kalalú Foundation also took the opportunity to presentrecognitions to students that completed the initial and first levels of their musical and performance training.

During the activity, participants reconstructed and analyzed elements that related to the outstanding memory and legacy of women of African descent through theoretical and practical sessions.

The Kalalú Foundation presented certificates of recognition to Irene Núñez, from Mata Los Indios, Villa Mella; Andrea Mercedes, from the Los Morenoscommunity, Villa Mella; and Altagracia Mosquea, from Guerra, for their contributions in the dissemination of Afro-descendance.

The program includes six activities that will take place in the communities of Los Morenos, of Villa Mella and Nigua, San Cristóbal, and San Juan de la Maguana. The closing ceremony is scheduled to take place in the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.

The Deputy Minister of Institutional Development from the Ministry of Culture, Mr. Carlos Santos, during his speech. He is accompanied by Mrs. Rosa Elena Rodríguez, Director of Education and Training; Mrs. Margareth Frías, Assistant; and,Máxima Amarilis Gallardo, Director of the Kalalú Danza Foundation.

The Deputy Minister of Institutional Development from the Ministry of Culture, Mr. Carlos Santos, during his speech. He is accompanied by Mrs. Rosa Elena Rodríguez, Director of Education and Training; Mrs. Margareth Frías, Assistant; and,Máxima Amarilis Gallardo, Director of the Kalalú Danza Foundation.

Dance presentation by the Kalalú Danza Foundation