Santiago, Dominican Republic launches Popular Arts Fair

The Centro Cultural Banreservas Santiago opened the Feria Popular de las Artes, a three‑day arts fair held from July 3 to July 5. The event brings together dozens of local artisans and creators for exhibitions, conferences and public workshops aimed at strengthening the creative economy, preserving Dominican cultural heritage and promoting artisan talent.

The inauguration was attended by representatives of the Banreservas Foundation, the Coopera program and the Federation of Artisans of Santiago. Centro Cultural manager Gladialisa Pereyra highlighted the institution’s mission to preserve and disseminate authentic cultural expressions, while Banreservas executive Leonardo Aguilera emphasized support for artisans as ambassadors of Dominican traditions. The program featured talks by cultural manager Valentín Guerrero on “Artisanry, Heritage and Cultural Identity,” Coopera manager Israel Urraca on governmental integration and formalisation, and Yanilsa Cruz on linking crafts to tourism, among other sessions on design, innovation and financial management for micro‑enterprises.