VALENTINE'S DAY

It is thought that "Valentine's day" is a modern invention, commercial, but that's not the case.

Since the 4th century A.C. Roman pagans paid tribute with a unique annual ritual, the 

god Lupercus. 

The names of the women and men who worshipped this god were placed in an urn and properly mixed.

Then a child randomly chose some couples who, for a whole year, lived in intimacy so that the fertility rite was concluded. The following year would then be started again with other couples.

The Christian bishops decided to put an end to this custom.

The emperor Claudius II believed that men without families were better soldiers, and forbade marriage to the young.

But the priest Valentine, did not agree and continued to marry young lovers in secrecy.

Valentine was killed and then martyred on February 14, replacing the rite to Lupercus god, and thus becoming the patron saint of lovers.

But we are in the Dominican Republic and here Valentine's Day is not only  Valentine's Day, but also the celebration of friendship ...

On February 14th we will exchange gifts, we'll go out to dinner and then to the disco. The important thing is to wear something red!

Gift shop Franco y Barbara

Las Galeras-Samanà

Dominican Republic

n.109 cm.76x101

semi-gloss on canvas

                                                                     n.185 cm.51x61
                                                                 semi-gloss on canvas

SEMANA SANTA (Easter)

                                   The Holy Easter is a religious holiday.

                              But here in the Dominican Republic is especially ... A GREAT DAY!

                                  Right from the weeks before Easter, the Dominicans come shortly,
                                           save to "explode" during Semana Santa.

                                                   From the cities, there is a general exodus

                                   All return home, gather families, great lunches and great drinks ....

                                       SANCOCHO                                                                                          HABICHUELA DULCE                             

and lots of BEER

And so these days, even in Las Galeras, we will change our beautiful beaches .....

CAUTION a move these days, because it will be difficult to find free rooms in tourist areas.

But the thing that will surprise us more,


is how they manage to listen to music, maybe two or three nearby machines, of course with different music, or parked in front of a room where they're already playing live music and dancing another, of course ....

Stir mystical and profane is a specialty Dominican, or love or despise!

 HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

                                                                            n.98 cm.76x101
                         semi-gloss on canvas

                                                                                                                           n.169 cm.101x152
                                                                                                                         semi-gloss on canvas

PROCIGAR FESTIVAL 2015

                                  

               FROM 15 TO 20 FEBRUARY BE HELD 

                           "PROCIGAR FESTIVAL"

This magnificent event, which takes place every year, offers people who know how to appreciate the world of cigars, the opportunity to interact and enjoy each other's company: manufacturers, retailers and consumers.

  Casa de Campo, La Romana, we will visit the TABACALERA DE GARCIA.

Then, in the "capital of the cigars," Santiago de los Caballeros, you can visit, accompanied by expert guides, the cultivation of tobacco and cigar factories of the most prestigious:

TABACALERA PALMA, DAVIDOFF, LA AURORA, GENERAL CIGAR, CIGAR EXPORT CORPORATION, LA FLOR and QUESADA DOMINICAN CIGARS

                                                                   n. 38 cm.76x101
                                                                semi-gloss on canvas

"PROCESSION" A LAS GALERAS

Procession evangelic

The constitution of the Dominican Republic, provides for freedom of worship, but the majority follows the Christian Catholic religion. The remaining minority is made up of community witnessed Jeova, Evangelical, Baptist, Anglican, Mormon.

The video that we offer, I picked two nights ago here in Las Galeras, during a procession evangelical.

As I stated many times, the music and "the party", are part of the Dominicans and every reason is good! ...

               
                                                                  n.180 cm.76x101
                                                                semi-gloss on canvas

BAZUCAZO NAVIDENO

                           Saturday, December 20, 2014
                         FESTIVAL CONCERT danceable

                                 AL VIAJERO SAN CRISTOBAL, EXPLANADA LATERAL,
                                             10 MINUTES FROM SANTO DOMINGO
                                      Ticket Sales: Ticketexpress® with prices starting at $ 500

 Fernando Villalona (Merengue), Fefita La Grande (typical music), Anthony Santos (Bachata), Alex Bueno (Merengue, Bachata)

n. 172 cm. 76 x 101

Semi-gloss on canvas

To the citizens of the Dominican Republic you can remove everything but the sun and the music!
From early afternoon, on weekends, or for a birthday, a wedding, or the feast of the patron saint, every opportunity we can to play and dance.
Around Las Galeras, there are still many villages without electricity. Nevertheless the desire and the ability to make merry. The celebrations may also begin from 2 pm. In the early hours of the evening, when it gets dark, light oil lamps and playing the instruments that are represented in this framework as well as other more improvised, such as pots, boxes or cups. All present, from the youngest to the oldest, are unleashed in unbridled Merengue or romantic bachatas (typical dances Dominicans), washed down with rum, Mamajuana (liqueur) and beer.

NOVIOS (fiancés)

109 cm.76x101

semi-gloss on canvas

                                                                    The "fiesta de los novios".
In Las Galeras, as throughout the island of Hispaniola, the young, before getting married, are "novios", ie fiancés.
Like us, now you do not use hardly, but here, especially in the countryside, there is still the tradition "of the engagement party."

MIX OF SOUNDS

                                                                   n.124 cm.51x61

                                                                semi-gloss on canvas

                                                                 More music!

It 'an abstract view of this artist, who weaves in its design a sax and a keyboard to represent the art of combining sounds, creating the music.

In Las Galeras, when someone starts playing a guitar, soon adding a guira (a kind of grating that is played with a pole) .. and everything becomes a drum.

It 's already merengue and here we begin to dance, you party!

THE PARTY

n. 12 cm. 101 x 152

Semi-gloss on canvas

Music, dance and fun: the real passions of the people! In the Dominican Republic, a party can come at any time and wherever people come together.

This is a very important part of the character and spirit of this people.