About this Book

"This book is long overdue. The descendant of a hero of national independence and a leading Dominican intellectual, Marcio Veloz Maggiolo published an article entitled 'Italians in Dominican Life' in 2001, in which he reviewed the most illustrious Italians in the Dominican Republic. He pointed out that his discussion served primarily to 'focus attention on a community that has been fundamental in Dominican life, in its history and in the formation of its national identity.' The Italian community has been instrumental in forming a number of the identifying characteristics of the country by helping to build the political, social, economic, and cultural structures that have played a part in modling the current Dominican Republic: from the establishment of the Navy and active involvement in the all-important quest for national independence to strengthening the Catholic church, the educational system, and the economy; participating in the first free elections; creating the first newspaper; defining architecture, and sketching the borders of culture through art, cinema, music, and literature. It was therefore important to produce a book that seriously studies the various expressions of Italian influence in the Dominican Republic. The combination of contributions, images and texts, from a variety of voices present in the book, allows us to understand the essence of the Italian cultural heritage in the Dominican Republic. A picture emerges of the Dominican Republic as a country with structures forged by centuries of communication with Italian immigrants and as a country capable of creating opportunities at an international level, owing to its engagement in international dialogue since its foundation" --