Santo Domingo.- The sixth annual Christmas crafts fair was inaugurated in Parque Colón last night. Artisans and artists from ten provinces in the country are taking part.

The cultural event is dedicated to craft makers who have won the UNESCO excellence prize, Los gallos de Juan Pueblo, Los Santos de Palos from the Bonao Santeros Collective and Nelson y Marino Brito’s Las Mariposas de Jícara de Coco.

The launch was led by deputy cultural heritage minister Lourdes Camilo de Cuello, Altagracia Suriel from the First Lady’s office, and Romeo Bassi from the United States Peace Corps office in the Dominican Republic.

Lourdes Camilo de Cuello said that the fair, now in its sixth year, was becoming one of the city’s most important cultural events

“We hope that the Christmas Crafts Fair becomes an important sales point for the artisans”, she said.

The fair, which lasts till tomorrow Sunday, consists of 15 tents selling original Dominican crafts. Many of the exhibitors belong to the First Lady’s Office “Progresando” program.

The fair will also feature performances by folkloric groups like Mauricio Mercedes “Vale” and his group; Los Morenos de Villa Mella, La Cofradía de los Congos del Espíritu Santo de Villa Mella and Los Cocolos de San Pedro de Macorís, as well as a series of talks and workshops linked to the event.