Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón holds a discussion
The Casa del Cordón Cultural Center has once again become a meeting point for celebrating culture. This time under the name " Passion for Culture : Conversation between Cultural Centers."
The meeting consisted of a panel composed of María Amalia León , president of the Eduardo León Jimenes Foundation and director of the León Center; Altagracia Mella Russo , founder and director of the Mella-Russo House ; and Julia Castillo , director of the Perelló Cultural Center .
They shared their experiences from their various centers, agreeing that strengthening culture , especially among young people and children, should be a shared responsibility of all sectors of society. In doing so, they cited examples from their respective centers.
"The important thing is not that we think differently, but that we think together," María Amalia León's father wisely said.
That phrase encapsulated the spirit of a day in which there was deep reflection on the challenges of education , the sustainability of cultural projects and the urgent need to foster partnerships between the public and private sectors .
They also shared their experiences—sometimes frustrating, sometimes encouraging—in trying to articulate educational and artistic programs with state support. The conclusion was unanimous: without education, there is no possible future. And even more so, without the collective commitment of all sectors, that future could be left adrift.
One of the most repeated themes was the difficulty of sustaining valuable cultural projects over time, even when they demonstrate impact.
Programs such as Caribbean Music and Identity , which brought together experts from across the Caribbean to reflect on musical genres such as merengue, bolero, and bachata, were discontinued due to a lack of consistent support .
"What's missing is a structure that allows for sustainability," León said, acknowledging the interest of some government sectors. He also noted that inter-institutional alliances cannot depend solely on personal sympathies or administrative circumstances. "It requires will, heart, and a passion for art and culture ," he emphasized.
Despite the difficulties, there are examples that demonstrate that hard work leaves a mark. One of them was the arts education diploma developed in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Fine Arts , which trained 60 teachers from school district 03-04 in Peravia province, shared Julia Castillo.
He also shared that these teachers are designated within the education system and bring art into their classrooms. "A seed was planted that bore fruit," he said proudly.
Another good deed is the environmental education program carried out by the Perelló Cultural Center in partnership with Funglode , which for four years impacted local youth with recycling workshops, environmental films, and school gardens, said Julia Castillo .
Reward to motivateAs at every meeting, there was room for questions and opinions from the audience. Among them was a proposal to motivate young people through cultural contests .
The director of the Perelló Cultural Center indicated that for years, the center she directs has held youth literature contests, awarding the winners with the publication of their works. "We don't give them money, because they're minors, but we do give them educational tools and activities that make them feel important."
Even the León Center in Santiago shares this vision, providing students with meaningful cultural experiences that complement their learning and connect them with their roots, he asserted.
The occasion was opportune to highlight the benefits of art and culture for the development of critical thinking, sensitivity, and the capacity for wonder in children and adolescents.
However, this poses a challenge in addressing apathy through engaging methodologies that integrate disciplines that facilitate connection with works, emphasized María Amalia León.
From a classical piece to a bachata, anything can be a vehicle to spark interest and stimulate learning. "If young people don't find something familiar, they tune out. You have to know how to reach them from their reality," he added.
The day closed with a reflection that resonated with those present: "If we don't do it out of conviction, let's do it out of convenience. Education is good for us all." And, as was made clear, beyond ideologies, political wills, or institutional circumstances, art and education are essential tools for building citizenship and a future.
About institutions
- Centro León, based in Santiago, promotes human development through art, culture, and respect for the environment, through a program that integrates exhibitions, workshops, research, and community activities.
Casa Mella-Russo is a private, non-profit museum that combines art, history, and culture. It is dedicated to the preservation of Dominican artistic heritage and features a permanent collection of national and international visual art.
The Perelló Cultural Center , located in Baní, has the mission of promoting the comprehensive development of the community through four thematic axes: art, education, environment, and culture.
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