SANTO DOMINGO.- President Luis Abinader affirmed this Monday that in this government, museums, galleries, theaters and all cultural spaces are re-emerging with more strength and vitality than ever.
Likewise, he considered that a country with culture is a nation with hope, energy and a future. “And that’s what we are; energy, hope, future. We are culture.”
These statements were offered by the president together with the first lady Raquel Arbaje at the inauguration of the first immersive art exhibition “Iván Tovar, living surrealism”, which will be open to the public from April 6 to June 6.
It’s time for culture to return to the streets
The head of state also said that it is time for culture to return to the streets and for our creators to be able to dream again.
“In short, betting on our culture is betting on progress and our people. For those who speak to you, that life commitment is with the Dominican people, with their progress, with their well-being and also with their dreams”, declared the president.
He specified that public policies are currently being promoted that are decisively focused on cultural promotion that democratize art, enhance creativity and raise the talent of our people.
One before and one after
“This initiative constitutes one more example of our government’s decision to mark a before and after in comprehensive support for art and culture in the Dominican Republic,” he said.
Regarding the first immersive art exhibition “Tovar, living surrealism”, he defined it as a bold sample, which places us among the most avant-garde countries in the world, “where the predominant trend is the fusion between virtuality and art”.
At the opening ceremony, which took place a few days before the 80th anniversary of the artist’s birth, the family of Iván Tovar, of the Order of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella in the degree of Knight, was presented posthumously through the decree 174-22 that was read by the Legal Consultant of the Executive Branch, Antoliano Peralta.
Adopted son, posthumous ambassador
Likewise, the mayor of the National District, Carolina Mejía, made public the resolution that names a street in the capital with the name of the artist who, in addition, was named Adoptive Son of the city.
On his side, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, named Ivan Tovar posthumous ambassador of the Country Brand and presented the Iván Tovar Foundation, organizer of the exhibition, with the Country Brand seal.
Within the effort made by the current authorities to develop the country’s culture, the head of state cited the intervention of 14 museums.
He gave as an example the Museum of Modern Art, which had been closed for three years, and which is now open to the public.
In the same way, he pointed out that in order to provide resources to this sector, “the patronage law is promoted, which will allow, among other aspects, to encourage artistic creation programs, preserve cultural heritage and encourage collecting.
Likewise, he informed that the International Book Fair and the National Theater Festival will be resumed, as well as the Carnival parade.
The president also said that programs will be developed between schools and cultural institutions so that children and young people carry out projects within cultural centers and museums.
In the same way, he pointed out that teachers will be trained to instruct communities throughout the country on the Dominican cultural legacy.
Also speaking at the activity were the member of the Fundación Tovar, Héctor José Rizek; the director of the León Center, María Amalia León and Maribel Bella Part.
Ivan Tovar
Iván Tonar was born in San Francisco de Macorís, on March 28, 1942. From the first years of his life, he showed an inclination for painting. His talent led him to study painting in the country and soon after he moved to Paris. He passed away on April 13, 2020 in the city of Santo Domingo.
The vice president of the Tovar Foundation, María Castillo, and the artist’s daughter, Daniela Tovar, were present at the event.
The Administrative Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Mipymes, Ito Bisonó; the director of the Public-Private Alliance, Sigmund Freund; the Legal Consultant of the Executive Power, Antoliano Peralta and the Director of Customs, Eduardo Sanz Lovaton.
Also, the Minister of Culture, Milagros Germán; the Minister without Portfolio, Neney Cabrera; the administrator of the Banco de Reservas, Samuel Peryra; the Governor of the Central Bank, Héctor Valdez Albizu; the president of the Constitutional Court, Milton Ray Guevara; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice, Luis Henry Molina and businessmen Ligia Bonetti and Manuel Alejandro Grullón.
