The Ministry of Tourism announced the celebration of the Merengue Festival. The event will take place 18-29 July. The inaugural event is set for Wednesday, 18 at the Palacio Bellas Artes at 8 pm. That evening, several “perico ripiao” music groups will play in the west gardens of the Palacio Bellas Artes. Following that event, a folklore show will be held at the National Theater with the presentation of the National Folklore Ballet and the Los Congos de Villa Mella. Simultaneous, merengue related performances are scheduled: Plaza Abraham Lincoln (Police orchestra); Plaza San Miguel (Army orchestra); Plaza Colon (Armed Forces orchestra) Parque Avenida Venezuela, Ensanche Ozama (Navy orchestra). The Malecon boulevard celebrations will start at 9 pm and traffic will be closed off. There will be a fireworks show at Plaza Juan Baron of the Malecon, in front of the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Park. (10 July 2001)
