The city of Puerto Plata will come alive with the sounds of merengue from 18 to 20 July 2025, as it hosts the inaugural edition of the Puerto Plata Merengue Festival that promises to become an annual cultural celebration. The performances of Kinito Mendez and Josie Esteban have been announced.
Cultural promoter Luciano Vásquez, the driving force behind the event, announced that the festival will now hold a permanent spot on the province’s cultural calendar, scheduled every second week of July. “The rhythm that beats in the heart of Dominicans will now have a space of its own in Puerto Plata,” Vásquez said during a press conference.
The 2025 Merengue Festival will feature a rich lineup of cultural and artistic programming, including pre-festival activities on 15 and 16 July. Organizers promise an inclusive and festive atmosphere that celebrates Dominican heritage and music.
The initiative has garnered strong backing from both government and private sectors. Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza has played a key role in facilitating the festival’s launch, recognizing its potential cultural and social impact.
Other prominent supporters include Puerto Plata Mayor Diomede Roque García, Provincial Governor Claritza Rochtte, Congressman Emil Durán, IDAC Director Igor Rodríguez, and several local officials. The private sector and the wider Puerto Plata community have also thrown their support behind the project.
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El Nacional
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24 June 2025