Santo Domingo.- With the aim of promoting local culture and art, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) held the fourth edition of its “Artisanal Mining Bazaar,” an event that brought together the institution’s employees and special guests on the eve of Mother’s Day, which is celebrated on the last Sunday of May in the Dominican Republic.
The activity, which took place on May 22 and 23 at the MEM headquarters, was attended by Minister Joel Santos, Vice Minister of Mines Miguel Díaz, Director of Mining Promotion Golye Latoufe, and featured the outstanding participation of Dominican artisans and goldsmiths from different regions of the country, who showcased their creations and shared their talent with attendees.
In praising the bazaar, which was also attended by mother employees of MEM, Santos considered this event to be of utmost importance in raising awareness of everything related to artisanal mining in this Caribbean country, where not only the beauty of semi-precious stones, such as amber and larimar, was displayed, but also other pieces showcasing the quality and craftsmanship of local artisans.
Along these lines, the minister congratulated all Dominican mothers. “We feel very proud to have you; to have been raised by you. Mothers are the foundation for the development of the family, which is the core nucleus of any society,” stated the official.
During his interaction with the artisans and female employees of MEM, Santos polished a piece of larimar, reaffirming his commitment to these small-scale merchants who are part of the mining industry.
Meanwhile, Latoufe noted that the event is an institutional tradition aimed at promoting the talent of native artisans and goldsmiths, who commercialize unique pieces made with national and international semi-precious stones.
“This is a space that pays tribute to local talent and the maternal figure, while fostering education about our country’s mineral wealth,” highlighted the Director of Mining Promotion.
During the bazaar, the institution’s workers and special guests were offered jewelry and crafts made with emblematic stones such as amber and larimar, as well as lesser-known gems that are also part of the Dominican geological heritage, such as jasper from Hato Mayor province and moonstone from Pedernales.
Pieces made with international materials such as pearl and coral were also presented. Latoufe pointed out that, beyond the commercial component, the traditional annual bazaar has an educational mission: it showcases the value chain of artisanal mining, from the extraction of raw material to the creation of final products of high artistic value.
“From the Ministry, we intervene throughout this productive chain, supporting miners and artisans with regulatory tools such as Resolution 035-2022, which facilitates the export of amber and larimar pieces,” Latoufe added.
Among the creators of costume and artisanal jewelry was the country brand and renowned Dominican designer Fátima Polanco, who thanked the Ministry of Energy and Mines for its constant support of all designers who continue to showcase a high-quality local product to the country and the world.
For her part, Yuly Jiménez, Labor Coordinator of the Legal Directorate of MEM and one of the dozens of mothers who attended the event, considered that the bazaar helps visualize the great work of female artists and artisans who, as mothers, use jewelry design and crafting as a productive means and family livelihood, employing materials such as amber and larimar, emblematic stones of this nation.
The bazaar was also attended by partners of the Canadian mining company Gold Quest, who expressed enthusiasm for the local mining market and praised the good quality of the pieces and creations by the artisans.
At the close of the event, the Ministry of Energy and Mines held a raffle to give gifts to the mothers who work at the institution. Attendees also enjoyed a performance by the Folkloric Ballet of the Ministry of Tourism, directed by Professor Josefina Chez.
Also in attendance were the Directors of Mining and Foreign Relations, Rolando Muñoz and Gustavo Mejía Ricart, respectively. With the Artisanal Mining Bazaar, MEM reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable development, boosting local talent, and strengthening a cultural identity based on the responsible use of natural resources.
image credits for this post: Deultimominuto.net
