Thursday 27 August, the first edition of the National Cinema Day has been celebrated with various activities in Puerto Plata's central park.
On August 27, 1900, at the stroke of 8 in the evening, it was the first time in the history of the Dominican Republic, a film was shown.
Of course, this could only happen in Puerto Plata.
At the time, Puerto Plata had a greater international appeal than, say, Santo Domingo.
The show consisted of short silent films of the inventors of the film projector, the brothers Luis and Auguste Lumiere from Lyon, France.
The films were recorded between 1895 and 1899 and showed images of a departing train, a passing stagecoach and a battle between fake-Indians and fake-cowboys.
National Cinema Day
The fake-cowboys won the battle, which we know because the films have been preserved.
The operator of the cinema, the Italian Francisco Greco, provided the films with loud comments.
