SANTO DOMINGO.- The Government said this Wednesday that it will begin the bidding process for the restoration of the Agua y Luz Theater, located in the Centro de los Héroes, in Santo Domingo.
The announcement was made during a luncheon that the president held with representatives of the Dominican artistic community in the Green Room of the National Palace.
Tourism Minister David Collado stated that the president instructed him to carry out the bidding process, and that the project will include remodeling and roofing.
David Collado explained that the bidding process to renovate the structure and transform it into a modern cultural and tourist venue has already been authorized.
“At the president’s instruction, a bidding process was authorized. We have already begun the design and process to restore the Agua y Luz Theater, including a roof that will allow activities to take place even in unfavorable weather,” the minister stated, taking a phone call from the president.
He indicated that the bidding process has already been published or would be officially posted during this same week, estimating that the administrative process prior to the start of construction could be completed in approximately three months.
“The idea is that, once the process is complete, the contract will be signed and work will begin immediately,” he said.
During the meeting, President Abinader recalled that before assuming the Presidency he visited a theater in Nashville, USAmusic artists country performed every weekend, an experience that sparked in him the desire to create a similar space in the Dominican Republic.
“I always dreamed that our country would have a place like this, where Dominican artists can perform permanently and where culture is also part of the tourist attraction,” the president said.
A space to promote culture and tourism
Collado explained that President Abinader's vision is to transform the Agua y Luz Theater into a cultural and tourist landmark for the city of Santo Domingo.
“The president’s dream is for that space to become something similar to the Hard Rock Café in Medellín, a vibrant venue for artistic performances and cultural events,” he said.
The official added that the project will be developed in conjunction with entities linked to the tourism and cultural sector, with the purpose of boosting the entertainment offerings of the capital and creating a permanent stage for Dominican artists.
“That space is ideal for artists to perform, but unfortunately it has been abandoned for years,” said singer Rafa Rosario during the meeting.
The contract was awarded during the 2016-2020 government to the company Consultoría Astur, SA.
The event was attended by the Minister of Culture, Roberto Ángel Salcedo; the Minister of Justice, Antoliano Peralta; and the Director of the National Copyright Office (ONDA), José Rubén Gonell Cosme.
Among the artists, composers, musicians, producers and representatives of the cultural sector who were at the meeting were Ramón Orlando, César G. Acosta Chevalier, Francisco Ulloa, Kinito Méndez, Fefita La Grande, Pakolé, Sergio Vargas, Manuel Aramis Camilo, Omega, Rafa Rosario, Luis Mariano Lantigua Reynoso, Virgilio E. Frías Almánzar, El Prodigio, Eddy Herrera, Krisspy and Nelson de la Olla.
In addition, José Dionicio Fernández, David Kada, Blanca María Díaz Martínez, La India Canela, Raquel Arias Jiménez de López, René Solis, Martha Candela, Orlando Lora, José R. Gonell Cosme, Johnnie Alberto Mercedes Castillo, Silvio Mora, Jandy Ventura, El Blachy, Juan Ramón Mota Castillo, Valerio de León Severino, Fausto Polanco del Orbe, María Steffan Rodríguez, Luz Marcela de la Cruz Peralta, Pochy Familia, Luis Segura, José Luis Segura H, Pablo Euriel, Ramón Lluberes, Hilda Pichardo, Robert Liliano Campos and Yuri Domínguez.
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