La Mar de Letras, an event to be held in Cartagena, Murcia, Spain, stops this year, like the rest of the sections of La Mar de Músicas, in the Dominican Republic. From July 11 to 21 it offers a program with nine events with free admission, which try to be a multifaceted look at the literary creation of the Caribbean country, unknown but of great variety and richness. And it does so by focusing mainly on its present and future, but also on major milestones of the past, so important to understand the evolution of Dominican literature.
The literary section thus approaches the figure of one of the greatest Dominican intellectuals of all time, the humanist Pedro Henríquez Ureña (1884-1946), and his valuable contribution to the history of Hispanic American culture. It will take place on Monday, July 11 at 8 p.m. at the Palacio Consistorial. It does so at the hands of two great specialists in his work, the director of the first European Chair of Dominican Literary Studies, Professor of the University of Salamanca Eva Guerrero, and Professor of Hispanic American Literature at the University of Murcia, Vicente Cervera.
This look into the past will bring La Mar de Letras to a historical moment that continues to leave an indelible mark on literary creation: the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo. Considered one of the bloodiest tyrannies in Latin America, it is still palpitating in Dominican society and literature. It has given rise to a literary trail and a recurring presence that participants will be able to trace together with Trinidad Barrera, professor at the University of Seville. The talk will be held on Tuesday, July 12 at 11:30 a.m. in the Carlos III Wall Exhibition Hall, located on Ronda Street.
The creative present of the Caribbean country, in which the poetic genre abounds and stands out, brings to Cartagena two consecrated names of its letters: Jose Marmol and Plinio Chahin. Both are great connoisseurs of the Dominican poetic tradition and owners of an extensive poetic and essayistic work. The young writer Rosa Silverio, one of the most talented voices the island has produced, will talk with them. The event will take place on Tuesday, July 12 at 8 p.m. at the Palacio Consistorial.
Rosa Silverio, Frank Baez and Alejandro Gonzalez Luna perfectly represent the different trends, themes, interests and desires that underlie the work of young Dominican creators, whether inside or outside their country of origin. To get to know their works, the poet Juan de Dios García from Cartagena will share conversation in a relaxed act next to the Mediterranean, since it will take place on the terrace of the Real Club de Regatas on Wednesday July 13 at 11.30 am.
Music and poetry next to the roman theater on July 13
Juan de Dios Garcia will also take the baton in the recital ‘Poets in the garden’, where you can hear the voices of these three Dominicans and the young poet Francisco Vicente Cartagena, all caressed by the music of Firmado, Carlota, who comes to the event as a guest artist. It will be held at sunset next to the Roman Theatre and the Cathedral: Wednesday July 13 at 20.30 pm in the Cornisa Park.
The look at the Dominican literary present and future will culminate with a look at the work of one of the island’s most original storytellers, Rita Indiana. The multifaceted artist, who will offer a concert at La Mar de Músicas, will unveil her literary profile the day before in conversation with Venezuelan researcher María Teresa Vera-Rojas, a great connoisseur of contemporary Hispanic Caribbean literature and culture. It will be on Thursday, July 21 at 11.30 am in the Auditorium El Batel.
Learn more: Events in Dominican Republic
Learn more: Theaters in Dominican Republic
