There is a new reason to visit Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest
city in the Dominican Republic. E. León Jimenes has opened its Centro
León, a cultural center that boasts probably the largest private collection
of artwork in the Dominican Republic. The opening of the center took place on
Friday, 3 October, and was part of the events to commemorate the company’s
100th anniversary. E. León Jimenes affiliate companies produce Presidente
beer, Marlboro cigarettes and Aurora cigars, among other products and services.
Dominican artist Geo Ripley told the El Caribe reporter covering the event: “For
the doors of the Centro León to open during a time of so much disenchantment
means that all is not lost, that there is still a refuge, a space for dreams
and for discovering who we really are.”
The Centro León has two permanent exhibitions, one of which is titled “Genesis
and Trajectory: The León Jimenes Collection” and is made up of winners
of the annual E. León Jimenes Art Contest. “Signs of Identity” is
a multi-sensory journey that sheds light on the Dominican people, through the
context of their Caribbean, American and global influences.
Dominican culture expert Freddy Ginebra said the center will be to Santiago what
the Guggenheim Museum is to Bilbao. “Foreigners who want to understand who
we Dominicans are, who we have been and who we will become will find their answers
on the walls of the center. At least, I saw myself here….”
Admission is RD$50 for adults and RD$20 for children. For more information, see http://www.centroleon.org.do