Fair of Peace and Fraternity of the Free World
Encyclopedia
The Fair of Peace and Fraternity of the Free World (Feria de la Paz y Confraternidad del Mundo Libre) was an international world's fair
that took place during the Trujillo Era in Santo Domingo
, Dominican Republic
(then called Ciudad Trujillo) in 1955-56.
In the short time of only six months a majority of the construction was completed. However, at the deadline of December 20, a third of the planned structures and exhibits were not yet ready.
cut the opening ribbon and Rafael Trujillo delivered the address summarizing his achievements. Trujillo's daughter, the 16 year old Angelita, was crowned as "Queen Angelita I" to preside over the fair. Accompanied by 150 "princesses" she wore a white satin dress bordered with 600 Russian ermine
furs and a 75 feet train that had been commissioned for $ 80,000 at Fontana from Rome. A military parade impressed the strength of the Dominican military
.
At the Plaza de las Naciones, the entry to the exhibition, two large sculptural pieces were erected, a harp intoning the winds and a colossus (Atlas or Apollo) with raised arms holding a dove and the universe; both structures were destroyed by Hurricane David
in 1979. Seventy-five permanent buildings were constructed for the fair. Xavier Cugat
and his New York City Latin Band were contracted among others for entertainment. Notable permanent buildings include the City Hall and the National Congress, both by Gonzalez Sanchez, and the endangered Teatro Agua Y Luz by Carles Buïgas
. Industrial and agricultural exhibits accompanied the fair. A cattle exhibition was of special interest to Trujillo with his interest in cattle breeding.
Visitors included president Kubitschek
of Brasil and dignitaries from many nations.
World's Fair
World's fair, World fair, Universal Exposition, and World Expo are various large public exhibitions held in different parts of the world. The first Expo was held in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom, in 1851, under the title "Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All...
that took place during the Trujillo Era in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
(then called Ciudad Trujillo) in 1955-56.
Planning
The fair was organized to honor Rafael Trujillo and his regime at the twenty-fifth anniversary of their rule Alvarez Pina was nominated as president of the organizing commission in July 1955. A tract of land on the western edge of the capital was set aside for the fair grounds. Forty-two nations agreed to participate. A new hotel, the El Embajador, was built with the penthouse for Trujillo's personal use.In the short time of only six months a majority of the construction was completed. However, at the deadline of December 20, a third of the planned structures and exhibits were not yet ready.
The Fair
On December 20, 1955 Hector TrujilloHéctor Trujillo
Hector Bienvenido Trujillo Molina , general, and political figure; president of Dominican Republic 1952-1960; brother of Rafael Trujillo.-Biography:...
cut the opening ribbon and Rafael Trujillo delivered the address summarizing his achievements. Trujillo's daughter, the 16 year old Angelita, was crowned as "Queen Angelita I" to preside over the fair. Accompanied by 150 "princesses" she wore a white satin dress bordered with 600 Russian ermine
Ermine
Ermine has several uses:* A common name for the stoat * The white fur and black tail end of this animal, which is historically worn by and associated with royalty and high officials...
furs and a 75 feet train that had been commissioned for $ 80,000 at Fontana from Rome. A military parade impressed the strength of the Dominican military
Military of the Dominican Republic
The Military of the Dominican Republic or Fuerzas Armadas de la República Dominicana consists of approximately 44,000 active duty personnel, about 40 percent of which are utilized for non-military operations, including security providers for government-owned non-military facilities, toll security,...
.
At the Plaza de las Naciones, the entry to the exhibition, two large sculptural pieces were erected, a harp intoning the winds and a colossus (Atlas or Apollo) with raised arms holding a dove and the universe; both structures were destroyed by Hurricane David
Hurricane David
Hurricane David was the fourth named tropical cyclone, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season. A Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, David was among the deadliest hurricanes in the latter half of the 20th century, killing...
in 1979. Seventy-five permanent buildings were constructed for the fair. Xavier Cugat
Xavier Cugat
Xavier Cugat was a Spanish-American bandleader who spent his formative years in Havana, Cuba. A trained violinist and arranger, he was a key personality in the spread of Latin music in United States popular music. He was also a cartoonist and a successful businessman...
and his New York City Latin Band were contracted among others for entertainment. Notable permanent buildings include the City Hall and the National Congress, both by Gonzalez Sanchez, and the endangered Teatro Agua Y Luz by Carles Buïgas
Carles Buigas
Carles Buïgas i Sans was a Spanish architect, engineer, inventor and author.-Biography:...
. Industrial and agricultural exhibits accompanied the fair. A cattle exhibition was of special interest to Trujillo with his interest in cattle breeding.
Visitors included president Kubitschek
Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira
Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira , known also by his initials JK, was a prominent Brazilian politician of gypsy Czech origin who was President of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. He was born in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, and died in 1976...
of Brasil and dignitaries from many nations.
Aftermath
Many physical structures of the fair survived; a number of the permanent buildings were turned over for use as government offices. Financially, however, the result was disappointing as attendance was below what had been expected and investments failed to materialize. The cost of $30 million was a sizable expense equal to a third of the annual budget. Crassweller judged the fair to be "a costly misfortune".Literature
- Album de oro de la Feria de la Paz y Confraternidad del Mundo Libre. Editora del caribe, Cuidad Trujillo, 1956