The Ministry of Culture has announced that 91-year old Dona Maria Ugarte, who was recently recognized as part of the Dominican Republic’s Living Heritage, has been awarded the National Literature Award, as reported in El Caribe. Born in Spain, she says she feels Dominican after migrating here with her daughter Carmenchu Brusiloff, who is also a well-known journalist. Ugarte is best known for her books and articles on Dominican historical monuments. These include: “Monumentos coloniales” (1977), “La Catedral de Santo Domingo, Primada de America” (1992), “Estampas coloniales” (1998), “Murales domincianos” (2000) and “Arte dominicano” (1984-2000). The contest is funded by Fundacion Corripio.
Jeannette Miller, an art critic, told El Caribe that she felt that the award was long overdue.