by Jose Ayala
(Translated by Alberto Suris)
Surrounded by the Dominican tricolor flag, its folklore and its people, Casa Dominicana and Lawrence YMCA this year joined forces in a beautiful and historic effort to celebrate the Mes de la Patria (Month of the Country), and in particular the independence of Quisqueya, on February 27 commemorating its 170th anniversary.
Two events, strongly dominated by the presence of young people, educators, some elected officials and the general public were held in the City of Immigrants: February 27, the projection of a historical short film at the Public Library and Friday 28, a cultural evening at the Lawrence YMCA.
The activity at the Library, 51 Lawrence Street, started at 6pm with the presentation of the film “The Birth of a Nation”, which chronicles the founding of the Dominican Republic, starting from the time when the Father of the Nation, Juan Pablo Duarte, formed the secret society The Trinitarian.
The film explains that the name of Dominican Republic comes from a desire to recognize Duarte Religious Order of the Dominicans for his defense of the Taino (local inhabitants) and their rights, and the development of education among the natives since the arrival of Europeans to the island.
Then, a landscaped screening entitled “Dominican Republic Has It All”, an audiovisual presentation recently produced by the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic showcasing the six most prominent regions of the country in segments: Santo Domingo, All History; La Romana/Bayahibe, All Enchanted; Punta Cana, All Magic; Samana All Paradise, Puerto Plata, All Adventure and Barahona, All Nature. Each has its merits, secrets and unique activities.
At the end of the night an oil painting of Dominican educator and painter Antonia García Hernández was unveiled. The work depicts the raising of the Dominican flag at Lawrence City Hall last January25th.
The activities continued on Friday, February 28th at the gym on the second floor of the YMCA of Lawrence, at 40 Lawrence Street, where there were presentations by local dance groups such as The International Batuteras, the Boys & Girls Club Dance Academy and the Lawrence YMCA Dance Academy, the Dynamic Kamotion group and the Prof. Vanessa Espéndez group Taller Borinqueño.
Besides, the musician and “Karaoke King” Alan Bernabel, played his trumpet with some classics of Dominican music as “Por Amor”, “Quisqueya” and “Concierto de Aranjuez”. The Dominican national anthem was sung by Roque Peña who later also sang some merengues with the support of the St. Mary of the Assumption Parish Band.
In both events the public in attendance vibrated with excitement with the participation of teacher and poet Mery Rivas who recited the poem “Arriba el Pabellón” (Up With the Pavillion) written by Gastón Fernando Deligne. At an impromptu choir unison between the public and an emotional applause, Doña Mery ended with the last stanza:
How beautiful you are on top
Dominican flag!
Who would see you, who would see you
Even higher, much more!
The large audience was amused with the arrival of the long-awaited “Diablos Cojuelos” (Limping Devils)”, very popular in the Dominican carnivals family. The Devils have created some characters such as “Death in a Jeep”, “Roba la Gallina”, “Rebecca” and others.
Diablo Cojuelo was a mischievous and playful demon who freaked the Devil and to punish him, threw him out of Hell to planet earth with such strong force, hurting his leg when he fell, leaving him limping (or cojo-juelo) forever.
During Dominican carnivals, Diablos Cojuelos are loose on the streets terrorizing the population and lashing people with whips and balloons. Their disguise ridicules the medieval Knight dressed in long coats and baggy pants and colorful masks representing an animal with horrible and hideous face. It was a way of mocking the native invader during European colonization.
The children also had fun while learning how to paint the Dominican flag according to a model placed on the table. The little ones looked motivated and challenging to draw the best flag while their parents showed their pride and satisfaction.
“The YMCA is honored to join Casa Dominicana for this great celebration of Dominican heritage in Lawrence, a very significant part in our membership. This is also a good opportunity to meet and enrich the Dominican culture”, said Jennifer Mejia, a young, educated and raised in Lawrence daughter of Dominican parents who works as Marketing Manager for the Merrimack Valley YMCA who coordinated both events with Casa Dominicana.
In addition to the 300-plus people who attended the event, could be noticed the jubilant faces of other senior managers of the YMCA, including Stephen Ives, President & CEO of the Merrimack Valley YMCA, Julián Villegas, Executive Director of the Lawrence YMCA, and James Kapelson, Vice President of Membership and Marketing.
For Casa Dominicana, coordinating the events were its President, Ana Medina; Nazario Esquea, Treasurer; and Jose Ayala, Public Relations.
Villegas, who is also swimming coach at the Y, took the opportunity to remind children and their accompanying adults how important it is to learn how to swim.
“In the world there is more water than land. Swimming is not only a good exercise. It could be a lifesaver for you or someone else in an emergency. Especially, I want to remind all Dominicans in their Independence Day that you more than anyone should learn to swim. You come from a country surrounded by water on all sides, so it is essential to know how to swim, and here at the YMCA in the heart of Lawrence, we can teach you all,” Villegas said as everyone broke into laughter.
Villegas is a Colombian immigrant who through education and hard work, has managed to climb up the YMCA ladder and become the executive director of the Lawrence branch.
Kapelson described the success of the events thanks to the collaborative effort with Casa Dominicana and reiterated his desire to continue working together on this and other events.
Among those present were State Representatives Frank Moran and Marcos Devers. On behalf of Mayor Dan Rivera were Wendy Luzon and Abel Vargas.
