Para la version en Español,  haga click aquí

On June 22, 2004 at 8:00 P.M. the Melassa Foundation, had the pleasure of presenting the documentary “Congo pa’ ti”, accompanied by a play called "La tradición del Espíritu Santo" (the tradition of the Holy Spirit), an exhibition of black and white photographs and two collages.  This event took place in the province of Puerto Plata  where approximately 80 people were present.  This event showcased the diligent work of Karin Weyland, who filmed the documentary and directed the play.  It also showcased the efforts and dedication of the youth from the “Mata de los Indios” community, who acted in the play and also danced to the traditions of the Congos, Salve, and also included a set of Hip Hop, at the opening.

This work was highly praised by the public present that night, it also marked the Dominican culture along with the Afro-Latin culture by demonstrating the importance and interest of the people, and in it’s roots. This event also gave an opportunity to the youth of this community and culture to be recognized and applauded, for their dedication, efforts and hard work in this project of great quality and cultural value.

One of the most successful presentations of the tour of the documentary “Congo pa’ti” has to be the presentation in Puerto Plata at the “Casa de la Cultura”.  At this presentation the youth from “Mata de los Indios” had an unforgettable experience.  The reason being that a great amount of people anxious to learn about the culture attended that night at 8:00pm at the “Casa de la Cultura”. Another reason for the presentation to be unforgettable for these youth was that the event was hosted by Giselle Díaz, the Public relations representative of all the Hiltons in the Dominican Republic, including the Marien Coral by Hilton, located in Puerto Plata.  Giselle and the members of the Hilton family offered the Melassa foundation and the youth a great welcome filled by laughter, and surprises.  At the hotel they had the opportunity to enjoy the food, the beach, the pools and the other many amenities of this beautiful Hilton hotel. It was a great opportunity for them.  They were also able to relax, enjoy themselves and also to spend some time getting to know each other and enjoying each other’s company.

At the press release that took place on June 21 of 2004 at the Hotel Marien Coral by Hilton to learn about the documentary “Congo pa’ti”, personalities like Karin Weyland, the president of the Melassa Foundation and director "Congo pa' ti" project, Oscar, the director of the “Casa de la Cultura” and Giselle Díaz, the Public Relations representative of all Hilton hotels in the Dominican Republic.  Karin Weyland addressed the public with the following words:

“Thank you all very much! It is an honor for me to be here. I would like to thank La Casa de la Cultura and Giselle for giving us the opportunity and the sharing their spaces with us here in Puerto Plata.  First I would like to introduce the Melassa Foundation…, The project started here in the Dominican Republic around 3 years ago, we hope to bring this documentary to other countries in Latin America and communities in the United States.  With this project we try to unite the academic communities and local communities and also other researchers like myself.  I have noticed in the past that other researchers do not have a strong, and close knit relationship with the community in which they work. That’s where the idea of founding a foundation in which we create community documentaries and to be able to give back benefits to the community in question, like in the case of Mata de los Indios.”

She also stated that the most interesting fact of the venture is that for this project they worked with the youth from the Mata de los Indios community and she thanked Gisselle and Oscar for organizing the day trip a the hotel since most of the youth had never been in a tourist resort before.