NEW YORK.- With the attendance of more than a thousand Dominicans, including writers, poets, artists, professionals, politicians, business people, community members, and ordinary citizens, the First Dominican Cultural Book Fair 2021, organized by the Commissioner of Culture, was inaugurated in Upper Manhattan this Friday night.
It will take place on the 15th, 16th, and 17th and has been dedicated to the Dominican academic, writer, and sociologist based in the United States, Silvio Torres-Saillant.
Said Fair will be dedicated each year to a Dominican writer who resides outside the island, based on their trajectory and contributions to Dominican and universal literature.
Commissioner Lourdes Batista highlighted “today we inaugurate this beautiful night, it has been long awaited, both by those of us who create culture, and by those who enjoy and value it. The effort put in is for the sake of ensuring that all activities and programs are up to the expectations of those who enjoy them”.
He added that “it is dedicated to one of those restless spirits, our teacher and dear friend Torres Saillant, on whose life and work we will be carrying out various activities and tributes to which I cordially invite you.”
He thanked the outgoing Minister of Culture, and the incoming one, for their unconditional support in organizing the great event of art, culture, and literature.
State Congressman Adriano Espaillat, speaking on behalf of the sponsors, highlighted the great work the commissioner has been doing at the head of the institution and praised the dedication of the Fair to whom he defined as his friend, Torres Saillant.
He dedicated his title of “Godfather of the Plantain” to the bodega owner José Liberato, whom he recalled sold one hundred plantains for a dollar.
The event was attended by the Commissioner’s advisor and godfather of the activity, Dr. Rafael Lantigua, State Senator Luis Sepúlveda; Consul Eligio Jáquez, Professor Juan Villar (Guanchy), Chef Amilkar Gonell and his wife, representatives of the company Friends & Family, the Vice Rector of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD); the Vice Rector of UNIBE; the poet winner of the National Poetry Prize, among others.
An exciting tribute was presented on a giant screen to several prominent Dominican figures, including the late director of the Diario Libre newspaper, Mr. Adriano Miguel Tejada.
The director of the Fair, lawyer Javier Fuentes, has been coordinating the organization of the activity since its inception.
The event concluded with performances by the Codocul musical band, various artists, and “Los Guloyas”.
The master of ceremonies was the announcer Germán Batista, who is also the public relations officer for the Commissioner. The event is taking place at the George Washington school, located at 549 Audubon Avenue at 193rd Street, in the Washington Heights sector. Activities begin at 10 in the morning and will conclude at 6 in the evening. The event ends this Sunday.
