Abinader Honors 12 Dominicans Excelling in Europe
President Abinader presented the "INDEX Somos Todos" award in Madrid to 12 Dominicans living in Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Key points
- All 12 honorees live in Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.
- The ceremony was held at the Cine Capitol in Madrid.
- Honorees work in medicine, culture, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Foreign Minister Víctor "Ito" Bisonó and Vice Minister Celinés Toribio attended.
President Luis Abinader presented the "INDEX Somos Todos" award in Madrid to 12 Dominicans living in Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom for their professional, social and cultural contributions. The ceremony took place at the Cine Capitol in the Spanish capital, a city that hosts the largest Dominican community in Europe.
Foreign Minister Víctor "Ito" Bisonó attended and congratulated the honorees on their perseverance, preparation and commitment to their communities. He urged them to keep serving as examples of achievement and to proudly carry their Dominican roots in the countries where they live. Bisonó also highlighted government initiatives to strengthen ties with Dominicans abroad and bring consular services closer to them.
Vice Minister for Dominican Communities Abroad Celinés Toribio said the knowledge and contributions of Dominicans overseas are part of the nation's collective heritage. She said the country's international reputation is also built through hospitals, universities, companies, cultural spaces and community organizations.
Among the honorees in Spain are Héctor Farías, director of the Ballet Dominicano en Europa; dentist Eslaysa Indira Reynoso García; pulmonologist Rosanel Amaro Rodríguez; and Lissette Batista, a gastroenterologist who leads PREVENCOLON-RD, an early colorectal cancer detection initiative. In Italy, honorees include Beatriz Acosta Acosta, known as "La Tía Yin," Emely Natividad Balbi Méndez, and actress Denny Méndez, who, according to the press material provided by the organizers, became in 1996 the first Afro-descendant woman to win the Miss Italia pageant. In the United Kingdom, Laura Esther de la Cruz Rosario and Mario Lenny Ramírez Ruiz, known artistically as "Viktor con K," were recognized.
The award was organized by the Institute of Dominicans Abroad (INDEX), which is linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Why it matters
It shows the Dominican government's attention to citizens living abroad, including those in Europe.