New Perspective: Dominican Republic Photo Exhibit Inaugurated at the European Parliament in Brussels

Brussels, 10 de julio, 2012

GFDD and FUNGLODE inaugurated the New Perspectives: Dominican Republic" exhibition at the European Parliament on Tuesday, July 10 in joint collaboration with Mr. Ignacio Salafranca, (Member of European Parliament), Chair of the delegation to the Euro Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, and His Excellency, Alejandro Gonzalez Pons, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the European Union.

The opening reception was an invaluable opportunity to share with Ambassadors and EU staff 14 aerial photos capturing the incredible diversity and landscapes of one of the Caribbean's richest and most ecologically diverse nations, the Dominican Republic.

Ambassador Gonzalez Pons thanked MEP Salafranca's office, as well as European friends of Latin America and the Dominican Republic not only for supporting this beautiful exhibit, but also for their assistance in the highly successful visit of the Dominican President Leonel Fernandez, which included a meeting with Euro-Lat (a meeting of Euro-Parliamentary Delegations representative of Latin American interests and relations). The Ambassador went on to tell the 175-strong crowd that it was precisely activities like these, undertaken by GFDD and FUNGLODE, that continued to reinforce and strengthen relationships between the EU and Latin America, and thorough activities via its strategic partnership with the recently created European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC Foundation) , which is composed of the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union member states, as well as the EU institutions.

Margaret Hayward, representing GFDD told how the exhibit, an initiative of GFDD and FUNGLODE is not only a wonderful opportunity for Dominicans home and abroad to take pride in the bountiful natural gifts of their country, but it also introduces the rest of the world to the many hidden treasures of a nation most often associated with its tropical beaches and resorts. It forms an integral part of GFDD's overall goal to promote the Dominican Republic, reinforce its national identity, and foster an understanding and appreciation of its history, culture, ecology and contemporary life.

Ms. Hayward recalled how the idea for capturing the images came about following a routine helicopter flight taken by its Executive Director, Natasha Despotovic, from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana in 2007. While in the midst of this relatively short trip, she was fascinated by the immense and diverse beauty of the landscape passing below her, and by the time she landed in Punta Cana, the concept of creating an entire collection of aerial images celebrating the Dominican landscape had already taken shape. GFDD has found a wonderful partner in photographer Anne Casale who through her photography has been able to beautifully capture this vision.

The photographs were first presented in the form of a photo book of over 400 images, and followed soon thereafter by the travelling exhibit, which has been shown in over 20 locations around the globe.

GFDD is thankful for the partnership with MEP Salafranca's office and the Dominican Embassy to the EU. Special thanks go to Silvia Waleska Diaz; Adriana Florit and Sarah Herasme who have helped in bringing this exhibition to fruition in coordination with Director of GFDD's New York office, Yamile Eusebio, who could unfortunately not attend on this occasion.

The selection of aerial vistas of the Dominican Republic are on display at the EU Parliament until Friday, July 13.

Links:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/
http://fundacioneulac.org/
http://www.votewatch.eu/en/jose-ignacio-salafranca-sanchez-neyra.html