Two iconic figures of the Dominican Carnival questioned the lack of support from the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture for this tradition, especially the one carried out in the Sánchez Ramírez Province..
Understand that Cotuí being a municipality, in this Province with so many natural and cultural attractions, lacks sufficient support to hold its carnival every year.
Juan Dagoberto Tejeda Ortíz, Dominican Sociologist, Folklorist and researcher from minesPeravia Province, Dominican Republic He showed his discontent, highlighting that if this type of tradition is lost, in some towns in the country, we can also lose their identity.
He said that one of the most original carnivals that takes place in the Dominican Republic is that of Cotuí and that thanks to some families from this community, it has been kept alive.
The Cotuí Carnival receives little support, with the Peravia Province being one of the points with the most tradition, so its carnival roots are based on waste provided by nature, he said.
He argued that the first ones who have devalued the Carnival are the tourism businessmen.
He questioned the carnival that takes place in Punta Cana, which he believes is very artificial and without any originality.
“In a national sample, it does not have a root or anything that characterizes it as being from this area of the country,” said the sociologist.
Likewise, Juan Francisco Vazquez, popularly known as “Juampa,” called on the authorities to make more contributions to culture, so that it is not lost.
He understands that despite the meetings that have been scheduled, they have not been possible.
He expressed that it is necessary to carry out activities that generate attention among young people, so that they become involved in proudly displaying their culture, based on the carnival of their respective towns, in this case Cotuí.
He hopes that the Ministry of Culture will take action on the matter and show interest in the importance of carnivals, both for the people and for tourism.
