It may seem strange that a nation with large deposits of gold and silver does not have a local artisanry associated with these precious metals. There are plenty of jewelry shops, but goldsmiths or artisans making the jewelry are scant and the quality is lacking.
This issue was recently addressed by the director general of the Office of Community Development (ODC), Modesto Guzman, who cut the tape at the re-opening ceremonies of the Juan Pablo Duarte School for Jewelry and Goldsmithing in the Colonial City.
The school, located on 19 de Marzo Street in the Colonial City, will provide professional instruction to its students who will then be able to convert some of the local precious metals into jewelry for everyone to enjoy.
It should be noted that one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, Juan Pablo Duarte, was also a goldsmith.
Read more in Spanish:
El Caribe
2 December 2024