Dede Mirabal
Films on the Historic Mirabal Sisters of the Dominican Republic
When
Friday, September 18, 2009
7:00 PM
Where
Kirkhof Center Theater, GVSU Allendale Campus
Description
Two films will be shown free of charge in advance of a visit by Dede Mirabal, author of the book "Memories: Vivas en el jardin" (Alive in the Garden), on September 23, on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
The 90-minute documentary film, "Code Name: Butterflies," directed by Cecilia Domeyko will be shown at 7 p.m.
The movie "In Time of the Butterflies," an adaptation of the novel by Julia Alvarez, based on the story of the Mirabal Sisters, will be shown from 8.30-10.30 p.m.
In the 1950s, Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal, who were known by their secret name of "Butterflies," created a secret resistance movement against Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, one of the most bloodthirsty tyrants the world has ever known. When the dictator had them assassinated making it seem like an accident, the country rose up against Trujillo and a group of conspirators who had been plotting his death but had not dared to move forward, assassinated him. The courage of the Mirabals, simple wives and mothers who helped bring freedom and democracy to their country, is legendary.
Today, the Dominican Republic owes much to these incredible women who were willing to sacrifice everything and to fight for what they believed in. The day of Mirabal sisters' death, November 25, has been designated by the United Nations as the "Day of Non-Violence Against Women" in their honor.
For more information about these Grand Valley events, contact Zulema Moret, director of Latin American Studies, at moretz@gvsu.edu, or (616) 331-2286.