Five young people in the Dominican Republic reclaimed the Guinness World Record for continuous reading aloud after completing more than 500 hours in Santo Domingo.
The marathon reading initiative, titled Juventud en Voz Alta, reached the historic milestone at 2:00 p.m. on Monday after launching on August 31. Organizers initially set out to reach 480 hours of continuous reading to regain the title, but the five participants chose to extend their attempt beyond 500 hours.
Reading continued 24 hours a day throughout the effort, with participants taking turns to keep the challenge going without interruption. The entire event was broadcast live to allow viewers to follow the progress online and on television across more than three weeks.
Marathon reading effort in Santo Domingo
The continuous reading challenge brought together crowds of supporters, relatives, and observers who gathered at the venue. Attendees cheered the five young readers with applause, posters, and music as the official timer passed the 500-hour mark on Monday afternoon.
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, served as the site for the record attempt. The city has hosted numerous cultural initiatives aimed at promoting literacy and youth engagement across the Caribbean nation.
Vice President Raquel Peña joined the participants at the event venue to celebrate the achievement. Peña took turns reading several book chapters alongside the young participants during the final hours of the marathon session.
Official Guinness World Records certification
An official judge from Guinness World Records was present to oversee the conclusion of the marathon and formally verify the record attempt. The judge confirmed that the participants had fulfilled all official criteria for continuous reading aloud before granting the certification.
During the presentation ceremony, the judge referenced the famous verses of Dominican poet Pedro Mir. The judge said there was a country in the world where five young people had made history again by returning the record for the most hours read aloud to their people, who should feel immense pride.
Pedro Mir, born in San Pedro de Macoris, is widely celebrated as the national poet of the Dominican Republic. His famous 1949 poem There Is a Country in the World is considered a masterwork of Latin American poetry and a defining reflection on Dominican identity.
Guinness World Records, founded in 1955 and headquartered in London, serves as the primary international authority for recording human achievements and world extremes.
Government support and literary tributes
Dominican Minister of Youth Carlos Valdez commended the dedication of the five participants during the closing ceremony. Valdez highlighted that the team reached their original goal of 480 hours before deciding independently to continue reading.
Valdez said the team accomplished their 480-hour objective, but the young participants decided to push further. He stated that exceeding 500 hours demonstrated a commitment to carrying the national effort even further.
The Ministry of Youth, established as a cabinet-level department in the Dominican Republic, oversees national policies regarding education, leadership, and social development for young citizens. Valdez was appointed to lead the ministry to advance youth welfare programs.
Vice President Raquel Peña has served as the vice president of the Dominican Republic since August 2020. Throughout her tenure, she has overseen educational initiatives and public health campaigns across the country.
Public reaction and event conclusion
The Juventud en Voz Alta initiative drew widespread engagement from students, families, educational institutions, private companies, media outlets, and everyday citizens. Supporters gathered both in person and online throughout the duration of the broadcast.
The reading marathon officially concluded following the delivery of the Guinness World Records certificate. Family members joined the five young participants, government officials, and organizers on stage to celebrate the formal recognition of the world record.
Organizers confirmed that the event successfully returned the world reading title to the Dominican Republic while creating a public spectacle around literature and youth achievement.
