The Big Apple Overtaken with Dominican Spirit During Showing of Documentary on Dominican History, Culture and Heritage

The feature Dominican documentary “Hay un país en el mundo” (There is a Country in the World) was presented in New York City in the Rafael Villalona Theatre of the Dominican Commission of Culture (CODOCUL)) last Friday, May 11, as part of the cultural program organized during the 26th Dominican Week in the United States. The event was organized by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), Dominicanos
USA, CODOCUL, the Banco BHD-León and the American Chamber of Commerce–DR (AMCHAM-DR).

The documentary was presented before a packed auditorium of Dominicans and descendants of Dominicans interested in learning more about their roots and participating in a “journey” that visually took them through the history of Dominican culture.

The event was moderated by Yamile Eusebio
Paulino, Director of the GFDD New York office who, in her welcoming remarks, thanked the Banco BHD-León for the efforts it carried out to rescue – as seen in the documentary – such valuable information on Dominican culture. She also highlighted the presence of Steven Puig, the bank’s General Manager, as well as the Dominican Commissioner of Culture in NYC, Carlos Sánchez.  Also present were Eddie Cuesta, Executive Director of Dominicanos
USA (DUSA) and representatives from the Dominican Week in the United States organizing committee, headed by David Fernández and William Malamud.

The audience thoroughly enjoyed the 90-minute documentary on Dominican culture, as explained by distinguished local artists.  At the end of the showing, Ms. Eusebio invited documentary producer José Enrique Pintor (Pinky), and Steven Puig, from Banco BHD-Leon, to participate in an open discussion
with the audience.

Mr. Puig confessed that the documentary project was presented to the institution by Bank VP Josefina Navarro.  After her presentation, said Mr. Puig, everyone fell in love with the project.  At the same time, producer Pinky Pintor explained that there are some one thousand hours of  film footage, and that the documentary is actually a very brief summary of all  the information that was filmed throughout the Dominican
Republic.

At the end of the event, the audience was asked two questions: one by the moderator and the other by the producer.  Those that answered the questions correctly received a copy of the GFDD/Funglode book Lo dominicano/All Things Dominican.  The Spanish/English book is a perfect complement to the documentary and highlights each of the most important aspects of the Dominican Republic by combining text and beautiful images for the
reader’s enjoyment.

The Documentary “Hay un país en el mundo”
The documentary is a walk through the natural landscape of the Dominican Republic. It describes the country’s historic, cultural and social values as explained by experts in specific areas of interest.  The documentary’s musical score is a production that features distinguished Dominican artists.

“Hay un país en el mundo” has been presented in more than 20 cultural and educational events in the Dominican Republic, including universities, schools and local fairs.  At the same time, it was given to the Ministry of Education for distribution in all public schools as an educational tool.  It was also provided to the Ministries of Culture and Foreign Relations to use as a promotional message of social responsibility through the
values that define Dominicans.

About our book Lo dominicano/All Things Dominican
The tangible and the intangible, the traditional and the modern, the spirit that creates new trends and the conservative emphasis on preserving our roots, the creative expressions that stimulate the finest senses of rhythm, sound, sight, smell, and taste, inviting us to think, feel, and dream – all this forms part of what we call lo nuestro, lo
dominicano, which infuses our daily lives, our homes, our streets, our workplaces, and follows us when we travel abroad or live out of our home country. What brings us together identifies us, makes us proud, and inspires us to keep creating and contributing to this abundant and prolific heritage of very particular expressions of what we are – expressions also appreciated, enjoyed, and shared by people from all corners of the globe. www.amazon.com