Olga de los Santos Guerrero, president; Rudyard Montas, first vice president; Veronica Sencion, second vice president; Soraya Perez Gautier, secretary; Hugo Suriel, vice secretary; Franklyn Lithgow Pena, treasurer; Luis Escobal, vice treasurer; Leonor Asilis, member; Maria del Carmen Ossaye, member; Eugenio Perez Montas, Ad Vitan Advisor and Fabio Herrera Roa, advisor
Santo Domingo.- During a cocktail party, the new board of directors of the Friends of the Museum of the Royal Houses Foundation was sworn in, chaired by engineer Olga de los Santos Guerrero, which was attended by the vice minister Gamal Michelenrepresenting the Minister of Culture, Milagros Germán; Carlos Andújar, Director General of Museums; Iris de Mondesert, Director of the Museum of the Royal Houses.
Also in attendance was the Reverend Father Milciades Florentino, Episcopal Vicar for Administration, representing Monsignor Francisco Osoria Acosta, members of the Friends of the Museum of the Royal Houses Foundation and personalities from the cultural sector.
The new board of directors also includes Rudyard Montas, first vice president; Verónica Sencion, second vice president; Soraya Pérez Gautier, secretary; Hugo Suriel, vice secretary; Franklyn Lithgow Peña, treasurer; Luis Escobal, vice treasurer; members Leonor Asilis María del Carmen Ossaye; Eugenio Pérez Montas, advisor Ad Vitan and Fabio Herrera Roa, advisor.
In his speech, de los Santos Guerrero said, “Assuming the commitment according to the constitutive act to establish a private initiative association, with the aim of consolidating and raising the prestige of the Museum of the Royal Houses, on November 15, 1989, a group of 31 citizens decided to establish the Friends of the Royal Houses Foundation.
For deserving esteem, consideration and respect from this society, Fabio Herrera Roa was declared the first president, and Rafael Mencía Lister, Esther de Pérez, Rudyard Montás, Omar Rancier, Jacinto Mañón, Manuel García Arévalo, José Chez Checo, Martha Ofelia de Paiewonsky, among others, are honorary members.
“I wanted to begin these words with the preceding paragraph, because, together with the board of directors that we swore in this morning, we will honor the precepts mentioned, and we are sure to commit ourselves to emulating those prestigious men and women, who, having a clear understanding of what is the duty to society and the firm decision of what is summarized in their general statutes, from which I quote the following paragraph: “to contribute, with the strengthening of the cultural importance of the Museum of the Royal Houses and promoting in Dominican society, a greater knowledge of the cultural and historical value,” said the new president.
He explained that the Museum of the Royal Houses or the Palace of the Royal Audience, which is located in this emblematic building from the Spanish colonial period, was built at the beginning of the 16th century and served as the headquarters of several Spanish government institutions of the time.
He also considered: “And something of significant importance is its historical support, since during the colonial era, this building was used as the seat of government and also the official residence of the Spanish governors, representing a fundamental historical relevance in the context of colonial rule in America.”
In his speech he highlighted that it is an architectural heritage, whose restoration was carried out by architect Eugenio Pérez Montas.
“This museum houses collections and exhibits related to the history of the island and, consequently, to the Spanish presence in the New World. The documents, paintings and historical objects it contains are countless and invaluable, and provide a practically detailed view of colonial life in Santo Domingo,” said de los Santos Guerrero.
But he also stressed that the Museum of the Royal Houses is a very significant tourist destination, as it attracts many visitors interested in the colonial history of America, allowing an educational experience about the period of Spanish domination on the island.
“It is an essential site for those who wish to explore the history and colonial culture of Santo Domingo, as we can now enjoy and appreciate this interesting collection of the Coats of Arms of the Provinces,” he said.
He pointed out that the board of directors that I am honored to chair and that takes the reins of this prestigious institution, has the historical commitment to always be present and the future of the Museum of the Royal Houses, and with the guidance of the legacy of its founders, will take actions in its favor, in favor of Dominican society and as Friends of the Royal Houses we will visualize the value that civil society contributes, grouped around associations, foundations and programs, obtaining greater recognition and active support from these institutions.
Finally, he said, “We ask everyone to always be attentive to this Foundation, ready to collaborate when we ask them, knowing that we will always be in the front line, attentive to the call made to us to contribute to the service and development of the colonial zone.”
Those present then enjoyed an exquisite toast and shared with the new members of the board and founding members, friends, associates and representatives of the country’s media.
