Amid the bright lights of Christmas and New Year, Dominican communities everywhere relive holiday traditions that have become synonymous with their culture. From preparing a traditional meal like Pastelon en hojas (plantain and beef/chicken/pork casseroles, similar to tamales, wrapped in plantain or banana leaves) to giving regalitos or double sueldo (an extra month’s paycheck as an annual holiday bonus), there are many ways that Dominican families celebrate the holidays together.
But there is one element that is at the heart of every Dominican holiday celebration: flowers. Poinsettias and other floras are an integral part of the season, especially in the Dominican Republic where they’re called flores dominicana. Many families use them to decorate their homes and to give as gifts to friends and loved ones. This article explores some of the most popular flores dominicana traditions and why they’re so special to Dominican families.
In Colombia’s Antioquia province, the silleteros parade is an essential component of the annual Feria de las Flores celebration. Silleteros are people who make a living displaying their flower arrangements in the streets during the festival. Each silleteros has a unique style and arrangement, but they all share the same passion and energy for their craft. The silleteros parade has been recognized by the government as an important part of the nation’s cultural heritage, and it is considered one of the country’s most spectacular events.
While the silleteros’ parade is the highlight of the Feria de las Flores, the festival is actually filled with numerous events and activities that span several weeks. In addition to the silleteros parade, there are competitions for best floral arrangements, food vendors and other forms of entertainment. During the festival, visitors can enjoy performances by local artists and musicians as well as browse a variety of handmade goods.
Litto Gomez Diez, founder of the boutique-style cigar brand La Flor Dominicana, has been making his mark in the premium cigar industry for more than two decades. The husband-and-wife duo’s small-batch, high-quality cigars are adored by critics and consumers alike. And when it comes to cigar innovation, the couple is known for bringing out some of the most interesting shapes and sizes in the business.
The latest offering from the brand is called Capitula II, or Chapter 2, and it is a larger incarnation of the popular Chisel shape. This figurado features an oily Nicaraguan wrapper over binder tobaccos from Ecuador and long-filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic. The result is a robust, balanced smoke with savory notes of hickory, leather and earth.
The Capitula II is available in three-packs of 20 cigars for a suggested retail price of $70. It is available at specialty retailers nationwide. flores dominicana