Dominican Republic celebrates 181st Independence Anniversary in Saudi Arabia with historic diplomatic flair
Ambassador Rodríguez Durán flanked by Saudi royalty and diplomats. (Photo: Adompretur)
Riyadh.- In a landmark event symbolizing burgeoning global ties, the Dominican Embassy in Saudi Arabia commemorated the 181st anniversary of the Dominican Republic’s Independence on Tuesday, blending cultural pride with diplomatic ambition. The celebration, held at Riyadh’s opulent Cultural Palace, drew a high-profile gathering of Saudi royalty, international diplomats, and Dominican representatives, marking the first time the Caribbean nation has honored its independence on Middle Eastern soil.
Ambassador Andy Rodríguez Durán, spearheading the historic occasion, underscored the dual significance of the event: honoring national heritage while forging a strategic bridge between the Dominican Republic and Saudi Arabia. “This is not merely a celebration of the past, but a commitment to the future,” declared Rodríguez Durán, emphasizing President Luis Abinader’s vision to deepen economic and cultural bonds with the Kingdom. He also hailed Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez’s leadership in elevating the Dominican Republic’s regional influence.
Guests gather at the Dominican Independence Day celebration in Saudi Arabia, a historic milestone for bilateral ties. (Photo: Adompretur)
The ceremony opened with a symbolic exchange of national anthems, as the flags of both nations waved side-by-side on colossal screens—a nod to their growing alliance. Attendees included Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz, Vice Governor of Riyadh; Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji, Saudi Vice Foreign Minister; and a high-profile delegation from the Dominican Tourist Press Association (ADOMPRETUR), led by its President Yenny Polanco Lovera, Vice President Salvador Batista, former President Luis José Chávez, and board members Yubelkis Mejía, Mayra De Peña, Raysa Feliz, and Cristina Rosario.
Ambassador Andy Rodríguez Durán poses with the ADOMPRETUR leadership, including President Yenny Polanco Lovera, Vice President Salvador Batista, former President Luis José Chávez, and board members Yubelkis Mejía, Mayra De Peña, Raysa Feliz, and Cristina Rosario. (Photo: Adompretur)
Cultural diplomacy takes center stage
The evening crescendoed with a vibrant performance by the Dominican Ballet in Europe, directed by René Farias, whose merengue renditions of “Compadre Pedro Juan” and “Caña Brava” electrified the audience. A fusion dinner curated by renowned chef Martín Omar González melded Dominican and Arab flavors, embodying the event’s theme of unity.
Ambassador Rodríguez Durán, who assumed his post ten months ago, stressed the strategic weight of establishing the Dominican Republic’s first resident embassy in Saudi Arabia. “We are not just building an embassy—we are crafting an institution,” he asserted, pledging to transform the nation into Saudi Arabia’s “most reliable partner in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
A bridge between continents
The guest list—a mosaic of Saudi entrepreneurs, Dominican expatriates, and global diplomats—reflected the embassy’s mission to transcend geography. Rodríguez Durán thanked Saudi authorities for their logistical support in finalizing the embassy’s headquarters, a project nearing completion.
The ADOMPRETUR delegation’s presence underscored tourism’s role in bilateral relations, while Dominican expatriates—some wearing traditional bandera dresses—shared emotional reflections on celebrating their homeland’s legacy abroad.
The Dominican Ballet’s merengue spectacle captivating attendees. (Photo: Adompretur)
A night of firsts
As Dominican expatriates mingled with Saudi officials under the palace’s glittering chandeliers, the celebration transcended protocol, offering a glimpse into a partnership poised to reshape trade, culture, and diplomacy across continents.
In a world fracturing along old lines, the Dominican Republic’s Riyadh celebration served as a bold declaration: some borders are meant to be crossed—and celebrated.