Our thanks to Peter Jordens for bringing this item to our attention.

Bachata is a dance and genre of music that originated in the countryside and rural neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic in the early 20th century and has now spread to Europe and the United States.

Its worldwide popularity is a great achievement for the DR and, this week, the government took the next step to honor bachata by passing a law that declares it part of their cultural heritage.

Under the new law, the Ministry of Culture is responsible for promoting, disseminating, and expanding bachata. The law requires Dominican embassies, consulates and missions all over the world to take action and promote bachata abroad.

“[This law] is meaningful because it contributes to the value and preservation of this important Dominican Republic musical expression,” Minister of Culture José Antonio Rodríguez said.

For the original report go to http://www.pangeatoday.com/dominican-dance-declared-cultural-heritage