The Ministry of Culture announced the organization of a Grass Roots Merengue National Festival. The purpose of the festival is to preserve this musical genre that was declared by the UNESCO as Cultural Heritage phenomenon in 2016.
Journalist Huchi Lora suggested creating festival when participating in the Long Night of Museums on Saturday, 1 July with the support of TV producer Jatnna Tavárez. The Long Night of Museums this summer was dedicated to merengue. Minister of Culture Pedro Vergés accepted the suggested because he said it is a priority of the Ministry of Culture to preserve the merengue genre.
Minister Vergés also announced the launching of the Dominican Orchestra of Popular Music (Orquesta Dominicana de Música Popular) to rescue and preserve the national musical repertoire. He said several months ago he created a commission to restructure the Escuela Ñico Lora, a center that he said could be a focal point to celebrate the Festival del Merengue Típico. He said the Ministry has already acquired music instruments for the Escuela Ñico Lora that operates in Santiago.
4 July 2017
