Duarte Park , the Office of Cultural Heritage , the Ercilia Pepín Cultural Center Benito Monción Street Boulevard, and the Carnival Plaza were the works that the government inaugurated yesterday, Saturday, May 10, in Santiago de los Caballeros, with the aim of preserving their historical value , since they are part of the historical center of the Heart City.
Vice President Raquel Peña led the opening ceremony alongside various government officials. The Vice President emphasized that these projects honor the province's cultural roots pride of Santiago de Cuba .
He called on business leaders and authorities to continue submitting projects, while acknowledging that many projects are still pending . “Santiago needs more investment and planning. We must continue working together for the city’s development.”
Peña recalled that since the beginning of President Luis Abinader's administration, Santiago has been a priority in the planning , noting that many projects were ready to begin immediately. "This renovation is not just a simple civil engineering project; it has been carried out with care because of its historical value," he stated.
For his part, the president of the Presidential Commission for Support to Provincial Development (CPADP), Ángel de la Cruz, stated that these works represent a tool for the entire Cibao region.
For his part, the Minister of Culture, Roberto Ángel Salcedo , described the works as important because they revitalize the cultural identity of these elements that make Santiago representative.
He highlighted the agreement signed by the University of Berkeley in the United States, which will allow young people like those studying at the Ercilia Pepín Cultural Center to train online in music, visual arts, dance, and performing arts, for their further development in the Dominican Republic.
Meanwhile, the mayor of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, Ulises Rodríguez, described the works as transcendental because with the restoration of these emblematic spaces, the history of Santiago comes to life.
Inauguration of the renovation of Duarte Park
The first project inaugurated by the vice president was the renovation of Duarte Park, which has more than 130 years of history , with which the aim is to rescue the elements with historical value, for which the maintenance of the original fence , reinforced with new irons.
the vendors were through a card system for shoe shiners, ice cream vendors, and street vendors.
Renovation of the Cultural Heritage Office
Later, Vice President Peña led the inauguration of the renovation of the Cultural Heritage Office, with the aim of improving the functions of the Council of the Historic Center and Monumental Heritage of Santiago.
The improved structure underwent an intervention that consisted of the restructuring of the interior and exterior areas.
Inauguration of the Ercilia Pepín Cultural Center
With an investment exceeding RD$156 million, the Dominican government completed the comprehensive restoration of the emblematic Ercilia Pepín Cultural Center, with more than 50 years of history , which underwent a profound transformation encompassing everything from structural improvements to the modernization of its interior spaces.
The intervention is part of efforts to revitalize cultural spaces and encourage the participation of youth and cultural managers in artistic activities.
Among the main tasks carried out are the total remodeling of the theater halls, including the replacement of the stage platform , making new curtains , installing carpets and completely renewing the seats , among others.
Reconstruction of the Benito Monción pedestrian street
The vice president also inaugurated the complete reconstruction of the Benito Monción pedestrian street , which extends from Boy Scouts Street to Salvador Cucurullo, with an investment exceeding RD$623 million.
The project included the complete rehabilitation of the sanitary and electrical systems , as well as the restoration of heritage facades , with the aim of adapting the public space for safe and functional pedestrian mobility, aesthetically in keeping with the historical value of the area.
As part of the heritage restoration, 75 buildings, including homes, businesses and cultural spaces , were treated with specialized paint , respecting the chromatic study of the Historic Center carried out by the Historic Center Council and the Heritage Office.
Raudy Torres Carnival Plaza
Finally, Vice President Peña inaugurated the Raudy Torres Carnival Plaza in Santiago de los Caballeros , an emblematic space dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich tradition of the Santiago carnival.
This space is related to the Santiago Carnival Museum , whose purpose is to show, disseminate and preserve the cultural expressions of the local carnival, as a way of presenting its historicity and diversity .
