Casa de América, together with the Embassy of the Dominican Republic and the Fundación La Merced, and with the support of Cadena 100 and Manos Unidas, will be screening this afternoon at 7:30 pm in its Iberia Room the film El libro de los abrazos (The Book of Hugs), written and directed by photojournalist and documentary filmmaker Alberto Pla.
The future of hundreds of children is being pushed through shoeshine boxes in El libro de los abrazos. The work of Fundación la Merced since 2007 has been shown, as it began its mission to eliminate child labor in the Dominican Republic. Godmothers, godparents, partners, artists and friends come together in this audiovisual piece charged with optimism, faith and hope. A journey that shows from the beginning all that has been achieved and all that can still be achieved. Tickets will be distributed at the Information Point one hour before the start of the activity.
“Child labour is a reality in the world. The latest estimates by UNICEF and the International Labour Organization indicate that the number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide. An increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years. In the Dominican Republic, it’s easy to see them selling food at traffic lights or cleaning boots. Although perhaps the worst part is taken by girls, many in situations of slavery in homes and without opportunity to go to school being abused. This reality can be transformed through educational projects such as the Fundación la Merced. I would like to bring light with this documentary, that the public knows the work of the organization that day by day shows the way to free children from child labor. And the public, if they can, to collaborate with this much needed cause. No child should lose their childhood between shoeshine boxes,” says the film’s director.
Alberto Pla has a degree in journalism and psychology. Since 2010 he has been working to show the world the work of organizations with an optimistic and hopeful outlook through photography and audiovisual production. As a photojournalist and documentalist he has worked in more than twenty countries for organizations such as Farmamundi, Movimiento Por la Paz and institutions like AECID or the office of cooperation of the Generalitat Valenciana in different contexts of international cooperation. Has received various awards for his work and defence of human rights, highlighting the Gender Equality Award given by the United Nations or the Manuel Castillo Prize by the University of Valencia for the best journalistic photo report by the #SomosSalvador project, Showing the prevention of violence through educational projects in El Salvador.
With the assistance of Juan Bolívar Díaz, ambassador of the Dominican Republic, after the screening of the film will take place a colloquium between the director Alberto Pla, Tomás García-Martín, priest, missionary, founder and former vice-president of Fundación La Merced. Currently serving as a priest in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and Patricia Rosety, journalist for Cadena COPE.
