Santo Domingo East carnival concludes with a spectacular display of culture

Santo Domingo.- The Santo Domingo East carnival came to a vibrant close, with over 45 troupes from various regions parading along España Avenue. Thousands of residents and visitors gathered to witness this colorful spectacle, marking the culmination of the cultural event organized by the Santo Domingo East City Council through the Culture Directorate.

The objective of this celebration is to preserve a fundamental aspect of the Dominican identity—the carnival. In this edition, Yiyo Sarante and Lucía Tavarez played pivotal roles as the carnival kings.

Mayor Manuel Jiménez, emphasizing the significance of the occasion, stated, “We will conclude the final carnival of our administration with grand festivities, as major events deserve memorable closures.” The festivities unfolded on a captivating stage in front of the Olé supermarket on España Avenue.

Salsa singer Yiyo Sarante and the musical group Urbanda took center stage, enchanting the audience with their extensive repertoire from the early afternoon. The atmosphere was filled with joy as residents and visitors alike reveled in the present moment.

The parade featured troupes in various categories, such as traditional, fantasy, alibaba, diablo cojuelo, popular, individual, and historical creativity. Winners in these categories will be awarded prizes totaling RS$1 million 350 thousand.

Additionally, RD$1.6 million was allocated to support local troupes, bringing the total amount to be distributed to RD$2.9 million.

A notable addition to this year’s carnival was the participation of the typical group Urbanda, sponsored by the National Brewery and its Cerveza Presidente brand. Moreover, several provinces, including San Cristóbal, San Pedro de Macorís, Baní, Cotuí, Santo Domingo Norte, and Santo Domingo Oeste, contributed to the diversity of the event.

Distinguished personalities from the cultural field, including Eddy Sánchez, Zoneida de la Cruz, Francisco Medina, and Kenia García, formed the jury for this edition.

This carnival not only acknowledges the importance of this tradition as part of the Dominican cultural heritage but also reaffirms the institution’s commitment to supporting the nation’s traditional artistic expressions.