The 2023 National Carnival Parade-Santo Domingo
Thousands of people enjoyed the color and creativity of the 2023 National Carnival Parade
Santo Domingo.- Color, creativity and organization were the characteristics that prevailed Sunday on the Santo Domingo boardwalk during the celebration of the National Carnival Parade (DNC), in which some 150 comparsas from the Dominican Republic’s provinces participated.
The Santo Domingo National Carnival Parade is organized by the Ministries of Culture and Tourism. This parade is one of the most important traditions in Santo Domingo, where the best comparsas from all the country’s provinces and from the different sectors of the capital perform. The parade is filled with creativity, color and joy.
It is a huge party where audiences can enjoy a great parade of floats and troupes with bright colors to the rhythm of merengue. The prominent characters Diablos Cojuelos, Los Tiznaos, Califé, La Muerte, Muñecas de Trapo, Muñecas Sin Rostro and Los Monos de Simonico, among others, participate in the big celebration.
Thousands of people from different parts of the national territory gathered on George Washington Avenue to enjoy the most important popular festival in the Dominican Republic, whose organization is led by the Ministry of Culture, through the Vice Ministry of Cultural Identity and Citizenship and the Carnival Department.
The event began with the coronation act and float parade of the kings of the national carnival, Diomary la Mala and Rafael Almánzar Mármol, who were crowned by the Minister of Culture, Milagros Germán, in the company of the Vice Minister of Cultural Identity and Citizenship, Pastor From Moya.
The kings made the tour amid the merriment of an audience that filled both sides of the boardwalk to witness the display of floats and troupes representing the different provinces of the country.
The celebration continued with the dedication of the DNC 2023 to the province of Santiago, whose representatives, together with their emblematic piglets, paraded with a gigantic float alluding to the Monument of Santiago to pay tribute to this demarcation.
Santiago is characterized by having one of the most colorful carnivals in the country and for decades they have spread this cultural expression nationwide.
During the event, Germán stated that “carnival is a popular festival that promotes social cohesion, fosters creativity and, in the particular case of our national carnival, becomes a transmitter of knowledge by bringing together hundreds of comparsas and characters who are the living representation of what we are as a nation: Caribbean, joyful, authentic and passionate.”
Likewise, she stressed that for the Ministry of Culture it is a source of satisfaction to be able to celebrate the National Carnival Parade this year, having the Santo Domingo boardwalk as a meeting point where the best of carnivals come together and cultural diversity of the Dominican people is broadly shown.
One of the most emotional moments was the tribute in memory of the late folklorist Víctor Erarte, considered one of the pioneers of the Santiago Carnival and a worthy representative of Dominican culture.
This recognition included a few words by the prominent designer Leonel Lirio, as well as a plaque in honor of the folklorist, which was received by his niece Anny Ortiz.
Similarly, another highly relevant act was the delivery of the 2023 Felipe Abreu Award to the architect Persio Checo for his contribution to the maintenance and development of the Dominican carnival.
The celebration continued with the parade of the best comparsas, groups and characters, which showed the creativity and talent of local artisans and carnival-goers with their original costumes, masks and presentations.
According to Cuando Pasa, of all the acts of the Dominican Carnival, the “National Parade” is the most important, taking place on the Malecón in Santo Domingo and including hundreds of comparsas from the 32 provinces of the country. This parade constitutes one of the days with the greatest cultural tradition, which is attended in the Box of Honor by the President of the Republic and other important authorities. The National Parade has the presence of floats, troupes, and the characteristic characters of the Dominican Carnival:
• “Roba la Gallina”: Comic character satirizes the way people used to steal chickens from farms.
• “Diables Cojuelos”: A mischievous and playful demon who exhausted the patience of the devil himself, fell, and injured his leg.
• “Califé”: Character created by a tinsmith craftsman from the Villa Francisca neighborhood. They were intended to satirize the elite Spanishized whites of Santo Domingo.
• “La Muerte”: Known as Death, represented with a skull, a black cape, white gloves and a scythe.
• “Nicolás Den Den”: A tamer who leads a bear tied up with a chain.
• “Los Alí Babá”: Comparsas with various motifs, characterized by skill and showiness in their dances.
• “Los Platanuses”: Characters from the Cotuí carnival who wear a mask and cover their bodies with dry banana leaves.
• “Los Lechones”: Characters from the Santiago carnival, with very colorful costumes and full of decorations.
For attendees of the parade, Cuando Pasa offers a Tip: “The Diablos Cojuelos hit with their balloons made of leather. So just in case, don’t get too close.”
Contest prizes include a variety of categories:
• Carnival Grand Prix
• Fantasy Category
• Devils Category
• Historical Category
• Ali Baba Category
• Single Character
• Fantasy Mask
• Traditional Mask
Dr. Soledad Quartucci | Founder
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