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Dominican Republic cultural festivals and pageant outcome

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2026-07-31 04:52 UTC → 2026-07-31 16:01 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late July 2026, Dominican Republic Culture Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo highlighted the country's cultural outreach through two separate events. On 27 July, he inaugurated the 14th Panamerican Food and Music Festival (PanamFest) in Toronto, Canada, presenting Dominican merengue, bachata, cuisine and crafts to a North‑American audience as the festival’s honored guest nation. Two days later, on 29 July, Salcedo announced a three‑day Eastern Region Festival to be held in Higüey, showcasing the artistic, patrimonial and traditional expressions of the Dominican Republic’s eastern provinces as part of a decentralisation policy aimed at increasing regional visibility and strengthening local identity. The same weekend featured the Miss República Dominicana 2026 pageant at the Carlos Piantini Hall of the Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito, marking the organization’s 70th anniversary. The crown, designed by artist Alex Thomas, incorporated Austrian crystals and a sapphire symbolising the Caribbean sea, and the contest promoted the Casa del Autismo initiative for children with autism. On 30 July, the pageant concluded with Melissa Núñez of Concepción de La Vega crowned Miss República Dominicana Universo 2026. ~~She~~ The competition featured a Top 20 semifinalist field, including candidates from Samaná, Monte Plata and San José de Ocoa; Valentina Campión finished as first runner‑up. Evening gowns were supplied by designer Helcio Couture. Núñez will represent the Dominican Republic at Miss Universe 2026 in San Juan, Puerto ~~Rico, in~~ Rico on 24 November. Director Magali Febles reiterated the competition’s social mission, noting further progress on the Casa del Autismo project, while the same Alex Thomas crown was again highlighted as a national symbol.

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