Local Dominican Community in Salem, Massachusetts Expresses Pride After Watching “Hay un pais en el mundo”

Salem, MA. – On Saturday, April 6, 2019, the Salem Academy Charter School was the location for a special presentation of the Dominican documentary “Hay un país en el Mundo” (There is a Country in the World). The film screening was the first held by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) in the North Shore in Massachusetts.

Several local community institutions such as the Welcome Immigrant Network (WIN), Latino Leadership Coalition and Salem Still Making History supported the event.

“Hay un país en el mundo” is a celebration of Dominican culture and was produced thanks to support from Dominican bank BHD-León. The screening contributes to GFDD’s efforts to promote understanding and appreciation of Dominican culture, values and heritage in the United States.

Before the documentary screening, Ms. Elsabel Rincon, director of the Welcome Immigrant Network, thanked the many sponsors and volunteers from the city that assisted in the organization of the event.

The GFDD institutional video was shown and a short speech was given by Katy Polanco Berndt, GFDD’s Massachusetts Liaison. Flyers with information about the “Diccionario Cultural Dominicano” published by Editorial Global were distributed as was information about the book “All Things Dominican/Lo Dominicano” produced by GFDD.

In addition to enjoying the film, attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a vast selection of traditional Dominican dishes made by the members of Areito Café, a project of the WIN organization. The tastings included habichuela con dulce, arepas de maiz, mangu con queso frito y salami, casabe, majarete, as well as morir sonando, a very traditional Dominican drink.

Among the attendees were the City Councilor At-Large, Domingo Dominguez; Yoleny Ynoa, board member of Latino de Coalition of Salem; Fawaz Abusharkh, board member of the Islamic Society of the North Shore and Ms. Ana Nuncio, representing the Salem School Committee.

Following the event, attendees expressed their pride and passion for being Dominican.

About the Documentary
“Hay un país en el mundo” (There is a country in the world), directed by José (Pinky) Pintor, is a walk-through of the natural landscape of the Dominican Republic, describing the country’s historic, cultural and social values as explained by experts in specific areas of interest. The documentary’s musical score was produced by distinguished Dominican artists and is named after the emblematic poem by Dominican poet, Pedro Mir.