The Italian Legacy in the Dominican Republic

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well as achievements in the arts. These examples of shared history motivated us to consider new opportuni-

ties that Italy and the Dominican Republic together could create in the sectors of the economy, culture, and

political cooperation.

Each event was carried out together with Dominican institutions, universities from both countries, muse-

ums, cultural centers, Italian community organizations, and companies that believed in this project and were

committed to highlighting the history that unites both countries, while also jointly building on prospects for

the future. It is interesting to observe how, from the beginning, non-Italian business forces such as Pepin Cor-

ripio, the Rizek family, and the León family believed in and supported the program of restarting diplomatic

relations, seeing it as a way to view the Dominican Republic through an Italian lens and understand it as a

committed and mature cultural and business partner. To this end, a Cultural Advisory Committee

and an

Economic Advisory Committee

were created, made up of representatives not only of Italian origin, but also

from the highest echelons of the cultural and economic worlds.

As part of the celebrations of 120 years of diplomatic relations, Italian fashion and the creative minds from

both nations joined forces at the high-end Blue Mall in Santo Domingo, which is owned by the Vellutini fami-

ly, important Venezuelan entrepreneurs of Italian origin. It was here that, in October 2018, one hundred iconic

Italian haute couture costumes were displayed, brought by the Fondazione Sartirana Arte (Pavia). Dominican

design students also participated in the initiative.

The great interest demonstrated by scientists of the two countries led to a series of joint collaborations

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. PART TWO. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS IN THE PRESENT: 2017-2020

The chef Massimo

Bottura, owner and

chef of a culinary

establishment with

three Michelin stars,

and “best chef in the

world,” according to

several magazines,

received at the

National Palace by the

Vice President of the

Republic, Margarita

Cedeño, together with

Italian Ambassador

Andrea Canepari, where

he held a conversation

about Italian food

products and food

recovery initiatives to

be promoted in the

Dominican Republic.

The Cariatides Hall,

Santo Domingo,

November 19, 2018.