Read more: Snoop Dogg criticizes gay couples in children’s movies: “It’s fucking crazy what they teach you so young”
“We feel enormous emotion seeing the public’s reaction in Osaka. It was a cultural encounter full of respect and admiration for our roots. This moment demonstrates that Dominican dance has a place in the world,” said Héctor Farías, artistic director of the BDE. The official delegation of the Dominican Republic was headed by the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, accompanied by the Minister of Culture, Roberto Ángel Salcedo; the Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hugo Fco. Rivera; the Vice Minister of Culture, Amaury Sánchez; the Executive Director of ProDominicana, Biviana Riveiro; and the Dominican ambassador to Japan, Edward Pérez Reyes. With this performance, the dance company reaffirmed its status as the first Dominican international dance company and consolidated its role as a cultural ambassador of the nation, after a career that exceeds 3,500 performances in Europe, with a team composed of the multidisciplinary dancers: Carolin Agüero Madera, Yohsanna María Robles Merán, Sabrina Thais Meléndez Hilario, Nelsy Esmeralda, Carol Brito, David Arturo Gómez Arias, Jefry Steury Feliz de León, Jehan Molina Brito and Engels José Méndez Montero. “This achievement is not just ours, it belongs to all Dominicans. Every time we go on stage, we proudly carry our flag and our culture. This presentation at the Osaka Expo will be unforgettable for us,” concluded Farías. The event also featured the participation of the Ecological Devils of San Cristóbal and Los Broncos de La Vega, adding color and authenticity to the celebration, making it an integral display of Dominican identity. The programming for Dominican Republic National Day at the prestigious fair included a flag-raising ceremony, institutional speeches, visits to the Dominican pavilion, and a cultural show produced by Héctor Farías, with the stellar participation of the Dominican Ballet in Europe (BDE), accompanied by pianist Josean Jacobo and his orchestra, as well as the carnival display of the traditional Ecological Devils of San Cristóbal by Luis Rivas and Los Broncos de La Vega.About the Dominican Ballet in Europe
Founded in 2015, the Dominican Ballet in Europe is the first professional Dominican dance company established abroad. Under the direction of Héctor Farías and Engels Méndez, the group has carried out more than 3,500 artistic and cultural activities in different European countries, promoting, safeguarding and disseminating national folklore to thousands of spectators.
Through its presentations and projects, the Dominican Ballet in Europe (BDE) has honorably represented the Dominican Republic in important festivals and institutional events, showcasing the richness, diversity, and authenticity, and contributing significantly to the strengthening of cultural ties. The dance company, which has multidisciplinary dancers, has contributed to the positive projection of the Dominican Republic in the international arena through its young talented members; Carolin Agüero Madera, Yohsanna María Robles Merán, Sabrina Thais Meléndez Hilario, Nelsy Esmeralda and Carol Brito. Also integrated are David Arturo Gómez Arias, Jefry Steury Feliz de León, Jehan Molina Brito, Engels José Méndez Montero. In addition to its outstanding artistic work, the Dominican Ballet in Europe carries out an important social mission through master classes and accompaniment programs for young people of the Dominican diaspora in Europe, impacting more than 10,500 beneficiaries. These initiatives include classical, contemporary, modern dance and Dominican folklore workshops, with the aim of supporting youth and children of Dominicans residing abroad, providing them with spaces for training, inclusion and a direct link with their Dominican cultural roots.
