Memories and Conflicts at the Border: Reflection on the Future Arrives in Comendador

The Observatory for Caribbean Migrants and Social Development (OBMICA) has organized a program of activities to complement those being held in Santo Domingo and Dajabon this month of October in commemoration of the 1937 border events.

OBMICA has wanted to bring its commemorative efforts to the Dominican-Haitian border itself, to the city of Comendador in Elias Pina, thereby contributing in that area to debate and reflection on the sociopolitical events that this year reach their 80th anniversary.

The cycle of activities, which will take place at the Juan Pablo Duarte Cultural Center in the province of Elias Pina, has been titled “Memories and Conflicts at the Border: Building the Future,” and brings together photographic art, talks, meetings, and musical concerts in an effort to revive the spirit of coexistence that prevails in the area.

On Monday, October 23, a photographic exhibition will open featuring works by photographer Hillary Petrozziello that portray the work of people who live and earn their livelihoods around the binational markets, including the Comendador market, a key element in the economy of this city and in the coexistence of the peoples of this island.

On Tuesday, October 24, a lecture entitled “The Haitian-Dominican Border: Past and Present” will be held, delivered by Maria Cristina Fumagalli and Bridget Wooding, director of OBMICA, two experts who have sustained an intellectual dialogue on the Border, harmony, and artistic creation. That same day, the closing of the event will be led by the music of rapper Delmas Ty and the band Azuëi, formed by binational musicians.