While merengue is the national dance, ironically few in the Dominican Republic know that 26 November is Merengue Day. The day celebrates the contagious and vibrant rhythm with its whirlwind of fast-paced steps and slow, intimate or lively dance. In 2016 the Unesco declared the Merengue an Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2019, the Dominican Republic set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of couples dancing merengue in unison, surpassing Russia’s previous record.
For the occasion of Merengue Day, El Nacional newspaper interviewed several leading merengue experts to ask about the present status of the merengue.
El Nacional sought to answer the question: “But where does merengue stand today?”
Pochy Familia, leader of the Coco Band orchestra, believes merengue is receiving special attention: “I think there’s been a shift in the music industry in general: the exposure of new rhythms, a new generation of people who are discovering new musical expressions and identifying with them. This has pushed us merenguero artists to be more competitive.”
He highlighted a new generation of merengue artists making significant contributions, indicating the genre’s evolution. However, he expressed concern about radio stations providing less support to the genre.
Dioni Fernández, founder of El Equipo, disagrees with the notion that merengue is fading. He attributes the decline in tropical genres (merengue, salsa, bachata) to generational changes, as younger audiences prefer urban music. Despite this, he emphasized that merengue continues to generate income, especially for established orchestras with extensive repertoires.
Maestro Ramón Orlando believes merengue has remained stagnant, with the only notable change being international artists recording merengue covers. He pointed out a lack of new merengue phenomena in the Dominican Republic, unlike in the merengue tipico grassroots scene.
Raphy D’Oleo, a music industry professional, sees Merengue Day as a day where appearances outweigh reality. He highlighted the challenges facing the merengue industry, including limited record production, reduced media coverage, and misguided marketing strategies.
The El Nacional story concludes that while Merengue Day serves as a celebration, it also prompts reflection on the genre’s current state. While merengue remains popular and generates income, it faces challenges related to generational shifts, industry changes, and marketing strategies. The future of merengue hinges on the ability of its leaders to adapt and evolve while preserving its rich history and cultural significance.
Christmas is a good time for merengue, as several merengue bands dedicate many songs to the catchy beat that gets people out of their chairs and onto the dance floor.
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El Nacional
28 November 2024