The Diplomat
The Embassy of the Dominican Republic has informed that the Padre Billini Awards for Excellence and Solidarity, corresponding to the year 2023, have been granted to Esther Del Villar and to the Cultural Association “Carry a Book in your Suitcase”, founded by Virginia Read, respectively.
The decision was taken by a jury of notables made up of Raúl Jiménez, who was elected as president of the jury and is the Director General of the Centre for Participation and Integration of the Community of Madrid (CEPI); Julio De Castro, director of the Doctoral Programme at the ! E, Instituto de Empresas; Jeannette Alfa, president of the Instituto Duartiano in Madrid; Bernarda Jiménez, Medical Doctor and Social Worker, and Crismeidy Ureña, Executive Director and founder of Kleverlink Comunicación-Relaciones Públicas and Soy Caribe Premium magazine, made the decision. The Dominican Embassy was represented by Minister Counsellor Carmen Amelia Cedeño, who acted as secretary.
The Padre Billini Awards were instituted by the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in 2015, with the purpose of recognising individuals or institutions in the social, cultural and humanitarian fields whose solidarity work in Spain results in benefits for Dominicans; as well as Dominicans who have become a reference for their community in the Iberian country, for the contribution they make through the excellence of their achievements, knowledge and experiences.
Dr. Esther Del Villar, winner of the Padre Billini Award for Excellence, is a Dominican doctor, recognised for her outstanding work in social health work in Spain. After emigrating in 1977, she specialised in gynaecology and worked at the Hospital 12 de Octubre. In addition to treating patients without resources in her private practice, she was a volunteer at the Dominican Consulate and in the Dominican Mothers’ Volunteers in Spain, providing medical support to vulnerable women. Her social commitment continues to this day, continuing her work with underprivileged patients and being an example for the immigrant community.
For its part, the winner of the Padre Billini Solidarity Award, the Cultural Association “Lleva un libro en la Maleta”, has left a significant mark on the cultural education of children and young people in the Dominican Republic. Through the distribution of children’s books in disadvantaged areas, collaborations with institutions and reading, writing and illustration workshops, they have fostered a love of reading and provided access to education in areas of scarce resources. Her commitment has been recognised, keeping the Dominican culture alive through enriching stories and traditional details. The work of Virginia Read and her association has had a positive impact on the community, promoting reflection, imagination and the enjoyment of reading.
The award ceremony for the winners will be held in Madrid in mid-June, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, Juan Bolívar Díaz.
