Umberto I (La Spezia)

Dembow is a diasporic process that merges the foreign with the familiar, inventing shared dance grounds: an ever-changing rhythmic mantra that re-routes, re-roots, and fruits worldwide among the Dominican communities.

In the Umberto I neighbourhood, each small group, each corner, each bar, kiosk, and bench has its soundtrack: from the most traditional and rhythmic merengue, with its accordion and drum rhythms, to the melodic, guitar-driven bachata, to the fast-paced dembow, a frenzied beat popular among the younger crowd, featuring percussive beats and alternating rap vocals.

Exploring the Dominican sound system culture, known as “kitipó” or “chipeo,” and tracing its journey throughout the diaspora—from its roots in the island’s musicology to its rebirth across the diaspora, including Italy, ultimately transforming culture.

The largest Dominican community in Europe is in the Umberto I neighborhood of La Spezia. Amidst picca pollo and béisbol, car sound system gatherings take place, where the one with the highest dB wins.