The Italian Legacy in the Dominican Republic

475

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CASA DE ITALIA, INC. IN SANTO DOMINGO

Finally, after the restoration of the old building, Casa de Italia opened its doors on June 24, 1994. At that time,

its charter was drafted and signed, and the articles of incorporation for the new association were drawn up.

Mastrolilli’s first words were, “Today the dream has become a reality for many generations of Italians,

who, like myself, have come to live in this beautiful and welcoming country.”

At the first General Assembly of Casa de Italia, the first Board of Directors was appointed, which was

composed of:

Vincenzo Mastrolilli,

Chairman

Giuseppe Zanón,

Deputy Chairman

Renzo Seravalle,

Treasurer

Dr. Luis Heredia Bonetti,

Secretary

Dr. Rolando Forestieri,

President of the Cultural Committee

María Victoria de Mastrolilli, President of the Women’s Committee

Renzo Seravalle,

President of the Finance Committee

Then, after two years of waiting, by means of Official Letter No. 7445 dated September 6, 1996, the Attor-

ney General notified us that “pursuant to Decree No. 184-95 dated August 15, 1995, issued by the President of

the Dominican Republic, incorporation has been granted to the Casa de Italia Association, sending a copy of

this decree with the certification that it is a true copy signed by Dr. Néstor Pérez Heredia, the assistant attor-

ney from the Office of the Attorney General, Head of the Legal Affairs.”

Among the numerous important activities that have taken place in the rooms of Casa de Italia, of note

are shows and exhibitions by Italian artists. The following is a partial list: an exhibition of paintings by the

artist Carlo Montarsolo titled

The Sea and the Olive Trees of the Mediterranean

; two exhibitions of paintings by

Sardinian artist Tori Inzaina; exhibitions by Franco Ciarlo; an exhibition by Forestieri; and an exhibition by

Alfio, with his exquisite horses. In addition, there was the exhibition by the neorealist painter María Franca

Opposite page:

Casa Forestieri, on

Calle el Conde, where

the first model of Casa

de Italia was exhibited.

An event held by the

Ladies of Casa de

Italia, Date unknown.