Dominican Republic Launches 12th International Theater Festival

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Culture has officially launched the 12th International Theater Festival (FITE RD 2025), a sprawling cultural event scheduled to run from Oct. 19-30 across various provinces, featuring Spain as the guest country.

The festival, dedicated to esteemed cultural manager Freddy Ginebra, founder of Casa de Teatro, held its opening ceremony at the Máximo Avilés Blonda hall within the Palace of Fine Arts. Spanish company Teatro Corsario was honored as the special guest.

Roberto Ángel Salcedo, the Minister of Culture, led the opening event, highlighting the festival's theme, “Theater is Everyone.” He emphasized the government's commitment to the arts, stating, "From the Ministry of Culture, we view this festival as a true national commitment because we believe in theater as a living heritage and a powerful force of thought, which also helps forge citizenship."

The ceremony included a moving tribute to theater artists who passed away during the year. This was followed by readings honoring Freddy Ginebra and celebrating Teatro Corsario's more than four decades of work, with both receiving honorary plaques.

Amaury Sánchez, Deputy Minister of Creativity and Artistic Training, underscored the festival's role in cultural decentralization. "This festival reaffirms itself as a strategy of cultural decentralization, bringing performing arts to every corner of the Dominican Republic and strengthening the Dominican state's commitment to equitable access to culture," Sánchez said.

Rícharson Díaz, director of Theater Festivals, noted the event's consistent growth and its significance in promoting Dominican performing arts on an international stage.

Tickets for all performances are available at the National Theater box office for a popular price of RD 200 pesos, aimed at making theater accessible and encouraging widespread attendance.

The festival boasts 75 artistic presentations, featuring 15 international companies from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, France, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, 17 national companies, four state-affiliated companies, and a special delegation from the Dominican diaspora in the United States will participate.

Performances are scheduled across several cities, including Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, San Cristóbal, Azua, San Juan, Elías Piña, and La Romana.

The inaugural night concluded with a performance of "El alcalde de Zalamea," an emblematic play from Spain's Golden Age, staged by Teatro Corsario, officially commencing ten days dedicated to theatrical arts in the Dominican Republic.