The Italian Legacy in the Dominican Republic

THE ITALIAN LEGACY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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Grisolia titled

Suggestions: The Imagination of an Interpreter

organized by Fortunato Castagna; an exhibition of

lithographs by Italian masters from the 10

century; and that of Neidy de Seravalle titled

Marian Icons

, forged

from metal, etc.

Likewise, over the years, exhibitions have been presented by prominent Dominican artists, including the

exhibition of paintings by artist Guillo Pérez titled

50 Years of Art

; exhibitions by the painters Ada Balcácer

and Elsa Núñez; exhibitions by Cándido Bidó, Benjamín Paiewonsky, Guadalupe, and Valenzuela; and the

exhibition titled

Dopo Carnevale

by Cristian Martínez. Moreover, a significant number of new artists, painters,

and sculptors beginning their cultural pursuits have been introduced in the Casa de Italia, finding there both a

home and an art gallery to host solo and group exhibitions alike.

Furthermore, many keynote presentations have been held within the confines of Casa de Italia, including

those of Admiral De Windt Lavandier on “Italians in the Navy” and the architect César Iván Feris Iglesias on

the subject of “Art During the Italian Renaissance.” Another prominent professional in the field of architec-

ture, Eugenio Pérez Montas, gave a lecture titled “The Foundation of the City of Santo Domingo.”

A conference on issues surrounding the interesting and current topic of water was also held there by the

Italian senator Pedrini, as well as “The Julius Caesar Conspiracy” presented by jurist Dr. Carlos Balcácer. Dr.

Eduardo Mejía Jabid, the Consul General of Greece in the Dominican Republic, spoke on the topic of “The

Contribution of Classic Greco-Roman Medicine.” The notable Italian senator Paolo Emilio Taviani discussed

Christopher Columbus, the subject of his book that he also circulated during this event. Recently the architect

Jesús D´Alessandro presented on “The Reconstruction of

the National Palace.”

Finally, there have been conferences presented by Dr.

Rolando Forestieri on various topics, among which were

included the bicentennial of the celebrated Italian compos-

er, Giuseppe Verdi; a lecture on the “Centenary of the Ital-

ian Victory in World War One (1918-2018)”; a conference

on “Italian Academies”; a lecture on the “Significance of

Republic Day in Italy”; and a lecture devoted to the multi-

faceted genius of the Italian Renaissance, Leonardo da Vin-

ci. Another conference was planned in the rooms of Casa

de Italia on this amazing individual to commemorate the

centenary of his death in 1519. Also considered was the

exhibition of books related to the subject as well.

We must not fail to mention the very interesting ex-

hibition titled

1992-2002: Ten Years of Anthropological and

Archaeological Research in the Dominican Republic

presented

by Italian scientists at Casa de Italia. Six pre-Columbian col-

lections were exhibited with the collaboration of the Na-

tional Museum of Natural History. Since 1998, this Italian

mission has received support from La Sapienza University

of Rome, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the

Italian Ministry of Education. It has also had the support of

the Center for Research and Projects of National Interest

to Italy and from the Costa Foundation of the Dominican

Republic.

Other clear evidence of the relationship between Italy

and the Dominican Republic were the two exhibitions on

Italian Families in the Dominican Republic

. These exhibitions

Ambassador Venturella

introducing Professor

Rolando Forestieri

to Bello Andino, the

Secretary of State.

From left to right:

Giovanni Battista

Vicini, Rosa María

Vicioso de Mayol,

Rolando Forestieri,

Ambassador

Venturella, Vincenzo

Mastrolilli, Rafael

Bello Andino, and

Rosalba de Venturella.

November 1998.