Dominican Culture Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo Opens PanamFest in Toronto

Roberto Ángel Salcedo, the Dominican Republic's Minister of Culture, inaugurated the 14th edition of the Panamerican Food and Music Festival (PanamFest) in Toronto, Canada. The festival, held at Nathan Phillips Square, highlighted the Dominican Republic as the honored guest country, showcasing its merengue and bachata music, UNESCO‑listed intangible heritage, traditional crafts, larimar jewelry and dishes such as mangú, sancocho and fritos con salami.

The weekend program featured more than 600 artists presenting salsa, cumbia, reggae, reggaetón and folk dances from across the Americas. A “World Food Cup” brought together over twenty international chefs for live cooking competitions and public tastings, while the Panamerican Parade displayed colorful floats and costumes. The Panamerican Star segment promoted young talent under 17 in music and dance. The festival was founded in 2012 by cultural organizer Daniel García Herreros to celebrate the diversity of the Hispanic and Pan‑American diaspora in Ontario.