One Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of Jacques Roumain

One Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of Jacques Roumain

Haitian Ambassador reaffirms that relations between his country and the Dominican Republic are at their best ever

The Haitian Minister of Culture expressed his appreciation for the conference held in Santo Domingo on the life and work of the most important Haitian writer of the twentieth century, which included the participation of the heads of state of both nations

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Contrary to what some organizations claim, Fritz Cineas, Haitian ambassador to the Dominican Republic, maintains that relations between the two countries have never been better. "We repeat that, truly, relations could not be more cordial," said Cineas, reminding participants that President Preval has visited Santo Domingo three times in just fourteen months.

In turn, Daniel Elie, Haitian Minister of Culture, affirmed that the Dominican initiative to celebrate the first centennial of the birth of Jacques Roumain -- the most important Haitian writer of the twentieth century -- was a great step toward efforts to mutually recognize the cultural legacy between the only Caribbean countries to share a land border.

"What an eloquent statement on the good state of relations between both countries," said the Ambassador at the presentation of the documentary, titled "The Life and Work of Jacques Roumain," directed by Arnold Antonin.

"If we give up this fight, history will not forgive us," said the Haitian Minister during the conference marking the centennial of the birth of writer and activist Jacques Roumain, author of the celebrated novel "Masters of the Dew."

The event, presided over by Leonel Fernandez and Rene Preval, the Presidents of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, respectively, took place over the course of an intense, two-day program at the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE) and at the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo (UASD).

At FUNGLODE's invitation, President Preval and a government delegation traveled to the Dominican Republic for a day and participated in some of the scheduled activities, which began on Wednesday the 11th with a screening of the film "Cumbite," directed by Tomas Gutierrez Alea in 1963 and based on Roumain's most important novel. Organized under the auspices of the Ministries of Culture and the diplomatic corps of both countries, the event featured lectures and documentaries on the life and work of Roumain that were presented by important intellectuals, filmmakers and artists from both countries.

During the event, President Preval held a meeting with Dominican Chancellor Carlos Morales Troncoso and also met with President Fernandez in an audience and lunch, after which both heads of state participated in a roundtable discussion with intellectuals from both countries held at the UASD's Manuel Rueda hall.

During that encounter, Haitian Minister of Culture Daniel Elie stated, "This commemoration is important because it contributes to the unity of our two countries." Elie, who was part of President Preval's delegation, said, "President Fernandez's decision is an act of rehabilitation," and added that "Errors were made in the past and these have to be acknowledged and accepted in order to move ahead together."

Minister of Culture Daniel Elie reminded participants that an "irreversible friendship" exists between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and concluded that, "We move ahead together because we count on the goodwill of the two countries."

Contact:
Dominican Republic Department of Foreign Relations
Ysaolim Mieses
Tel. (809) 535-6280

Source: Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores de la Republica Dominicana

CONTACT: Ysaolim Mieses of Dominican Republic Department of Foreign
Relations, +1-809-535-6280

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