Santiago. – With the purpose of strengthening, promoting, and valuing craftsmanship as one of the most genuine expressions of Dominican identity and cultural heritage, the Banreservas Cultural Center in Santiago inaugurated this Friday the First Congress of Artisans of Santiago, an initiative organized in coordination with the Foundation for the Development of Craftsmanship (FUNDECART) and the Federation of Artisans.
The meeting takes place from this Friday, August 7th, to Sunday, August 9th, at the Banreservas Cultural Center in Santiago and brings together artisans, cultural managers, entrepreneurs, and representatives of institutions linked to the sector.
The welcoming remarks were delivered by Gladialisa Pereyra, manager of the Banreservas Cultural Center in Santiago, who highlighted that the congress arises from the joint commitment to create spaces for training, reflection, and exchange for a sector that, through its creativity and dedication, transforms materials into works that preserve traditions and tell the history of the people.
“Each handcrafted piece is much more than an object; it is a reflection of generations of knowledge, patience, dedication, and creativity that enrich Dominican culture,” expressed Pereyra during the inaugural ceremony.
The manager highlighted that artisans constitute a pillar for economic development, cultural tourism, and the preservation of the country’s collective memory. In that sense, she reaffirmed Banreservas’ commitment to continue supporting initiatives that promote national talent and the cultural expressions that distinguish the Dominican Republic.
During the inaugural ceremony, master artisan Gregorio Tavares, affectionately known as “Tony,” was recognized; the congress is dedicated to him in honor of his career and his contributions to the development of Dominican craftsmanship.
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Writer and cultural manager Bellísima Escoto presented a biographical sketch of Tavares, in which she highlighted her life dedicated to folk art, her commitment to the preservation of folklore, and her work in training new generations of artisans.
Escoto highlighted that Tavares has become a benchmark of Santiago’s cultural identity and a creator who has known how to transform tradition into a living legacy, keeping the essence of Dominican art alive through his work.
The program for the First Santiago Artisans Congress includes conferences, panels, and spaces for exchanging experiences, aimed at learning about new trends, analyzing the challenges facing the sector, and promoting opportunities for its development.
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Among the topics included are “Legal Framework of Handicrafts in the Dominican Republic,” by lawyer and cultural curator Valentín Guerrero; “The value of the artisan: competence in the face of new challenges,” presented by Franklin Sánchez; and “Innovation with roots: traditional hands and digital presence,” presented by Leidy López and Marlenis Diloné.
Likewise, master artisans Ana Beato and Brayla Marte developed the presentation “How to add value to your artisanal product,” while Santiago Henríquez and Yanilsa Cruz presented the lecture “The artisan as an ambassador: how to convey cultural identity.”
The speakers also participated in an exchange panel where reflections and proposals were raised regarding the challenges and opportunities for strengthening the Dominican artisan sector.
Yanilsa Cruz, president of the Foundation for the Development of Crafts (FUNDECART), thanked, on behalf of the participants, Dr. Leonardo Aguilera, executive president of Banreservas, for the support provided for the celebration of the congress.
Cruz also valued the reception offered by the Banreservas Cultural Center in Santiago and highlighted the institution’s commitment to the promotion of culture and the work of artisans as an expression of national identity.
The First Congress of Artisans of Santiago brings together for three days representatives of the artisan sector, cultural managers, and institutions linked to heritage preservation, with an agenda focused on training, innovation, and the projection of Dominican craftsmanship.
