First Lady Raquel Arbaje was present for the addition of the Bonye music band to the attractions of the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. Bonyé popularized the gatherings at the site of the San Francisco Monastery ruins to listen to good Dominican music and wait for sunset on Sundays.
This past Sunday, 14 November 2021, First Lady Raquel Arbaje was there together with Tourism Minister David Collado and Mayor Carolina Mejía for the restart of the Bonyé Sundays. The popular event had been on hold since March 2020, when it was suspended for Covid-19 pandemic.
Arbaje spoke of her love for the event and the joy that the weekly event is back.
“This is the essence of the Dominicans, thank you for your patience and waiting, now is the time to enjoy in a healthy way all that you are and what the group Bonyé offers,” said Arbaje.
Tourism Minister David Collado stressed that President Luis Abinader and the Tourism Cabinet firmly believe in cultural and urban tourism. “Today the Ministry of Tourism wants to bring joy to the colonial city,” he said.
Likewise, Mayor Carolina Mejía thanked the Ministry of Tourism for sponsoring the tradition.
The members of the popular group Bonyé are Chino Méndez, Franklyn Soto, Félix Báez, Néstor Sánchez and Roberto Bobadilla, who have brought joy to Dominican hearts every Sunday with their concerts.
Bonyé, declared Cultural Musician of Santo Domingo, has been playing uninterruptedly for 12 years in the Ruins of San Francisco every Sunday from 6 to 10pm. On average, around 3,000 people gather in the area to listen to the Dominican music presentations. There are also guest performances by international artists.
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Presidency
16 November 2021