In a vibrant celebration of cultural diplomacy and academic partnership, the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Jamaica has donated over 500 books to the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus. 

The donation, presented by Angie Martínez, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, marks a significant milestone in the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Held under the theme ‘Dominican Voices: Literature Connecting Countries – A Gift of Knowledge’, the ceremony brought together distinguished members of the academic community, the diplomatic corps, and invited guests.

The literary collection features works from some of the Dominican Republic’s most renowned and important authors, including Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Juan Bosch, Pedro Mir, Joaquín Balaguer, Salomé Ureña, Frank Moya Pons, Aída Cartagena Portalatín, Marcio Veloz Maggiolo, Roberto Cassá, Manuel del Cabral, Soledad Álvarez, Tulio Manuel Cestero, Flérida de Nolasco, Manuel Rueda, Américo Lugo, Daniel Beltré López, Franklin Domínguez and many more. The books span an array of disciplines such as literature, history, poetry, essays, political thought, and cultural anthropology, offering students and scholars valuable insight into the Dominican Republic’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.

“This is more than a donation. It is a bridge of knowledge, a gift of history, and a literary legacy that will inspire generations to come,” said Ambassador Martínez during her remarks. “We believe these literary contributions will enrich the academic environment at UWI Mona, supporting research, fostering dialogue, and opening doors to a deeper understanding of Dominican identity and Caribbean interconnectedness.”

One of the most prominent figures featured in the collection is Juan Bosch, a pivotal literary and political figure whose work has influenced generations across Latin America and who served as President of the Dominican Republic in 1963. Together with Jamaica’s founding Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, he played a historic role in formally establishing diplomatic relations between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica on December 4, 1964.

Ambassador Martínez also expressed her personal connection to education, recounting how access to knowledge transformed her own life. She highlighted the Embassy’s commitment to advancing academic collaboration through student exchanges, research initiatives, and institutional partnerships. She concluded by affirming that this initiative does not mark an end, but a beginning, stating:

“This is the first step toward a more robust academic partnership, with continued student exchanges, joint research projects, and deeper cultural integration. We stand at the threshold of a new era of cooperation between the Spanish-speaking and English-speaking Caribbean.”

UWI Principal, Professor Densil Williams, graciously accepted the donation and praised the initiative as a meaningful contribution to the region’s intellectual growth and cultural ties. He remarked:

“In Jamaica, we say that when a friend gives you books, they are seeking a friendship that will last for years. Today, in receiving these 509 books, the Dominican Republic’s intention to deepen the brotherhood between our peoples is clear. This collection will enrich the knowledge of our students and bring us closer together as a region.”

The books were presented in the grand Council Room of the University, arranged in the shape of a human spine, an idea conceived by the Embassy’s Cultural Affairs Officer Jancer Fermín, who explained: “Knowledge is the structural axis of any society. Just as the spine supports and connects the body, books support and connect our collective aspirations for a more just, free, and enlightened future.”

The ceremony concluded with Ambassador Martínez signing the UWI Library’s Distinguished Visitors Book, which also bears the signatures of historical figures such as Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II.

This donation stands as a testament to the shared values of education, dialogue, and cultural appreciation that define the relationship between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. It symbolises both a celebration of six decades of diplomatic friendship and the dawn of a new era of academic and cultural connectivity.