Cervantes Institute unveils Arabic translation of graphic novel on Dominican history - City Lights - Life & Style
The Cervantes Institute in Cairo and the Embassy of the Dominican Republic published an Arabic translation of Iván Gatón's graphic novel The Wonders of America's Beginnings, introducing Dominican history and heritage to Arabic-speaking audiences.
The translation is part of an initiative by the Cervantes Institute (the Spanish Cultural Institute), the embassies of Spanish-speaking countries, and the Dominican embassy to foster cultural exchange. The graphic novel, published in 2024, was written by Dominican author Iván Gatón and titled Las super Maravillas de la Primada de América. It narrates 500 years of historical transformations in America, particularly that of the Dominican Republic, through comics.
Iván Gatón's graphic novel The Wonders of America's Beginnings
This initiative will allow Arabic-speaking audiences to engage with the Dominican Republic's rich history and heritage through graphic storytelling.
A team from Al-Sadat City University, including Jacqueline Maged, Rahma El-Adawi, and Sara Shaheen, translated the graphic novel under the supervision of Professors Yomna Azmi and Rehab Wahdan.
The launch event featured contributions from the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Egypt, Ysset Román Maldonado; the Director of the Cervantes Institute in Cairo, José Alba Pastor; Gatón; and the translation team. Several Latin American ambassadors and a diplomatic delegation from the Dominican embassy attended.
Gatón emphasized that this work is the first of its kind to be translated into Arabic. Ambassador Maldonado and Pastor highlighted Gatón's contributions to spreading knowledge and culture, positioning the Dominican Republic as where the historical process that changed the world forever began.
"The event is part of the Cervantes Institute in Cairo's programme, in collaboration with the embassies of Spanish-speaking countries, which focuses on highlighting the history and culture of Spanish-speaking nations, thereby enhancing cultural exchange and bilateral relations between Egypt and these countries," said Pastor.
The graphic book The Wonders of America's Beginnings narrates the history of Hispaniola, a Caribbean island now part of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The author aims to introduce the audience to the landmarks and historical events that significantly influenced global history.
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