Afro-Venezuelans celebrate San Juan drum festivities with international flavor
The Venezuelan Culture Ministry has organized a drum culture event in Caracas called "All the Drums of the World," inviting drummers from 13 countries, including Venezuela, to play to the public during the festivities of black Venezuelan patron saint, St. John The Baptist (San Juan).
- Festival producer, Leonardo Vargas says, "it links our idiosyncrasy with world culture in the field of drums."
Concerts are being held at Bellas Artes (Caracas) and plazas, such as the entrance of Bellas Artes metro station and Plaza de los Museos until Monday, June 28.
4 Caracas drum (tambor) groups are on show: Tambor y Cuerdas, Tambor y Gloria, Challimpe y San Negro and Son Tradicion.
Conferences and forums are taking place at the same, run by Cesar Pagano (Colombia), Jesus “Totono” Blanco, Alexander Livinalli and Faride Mijares (Venezuela).
Among the musical presentations on show are: Hassan Diad (Syria), Miguel Urbina (Venezuela), Julio Barreto ( drummer with Gonzalo Rubalcaba), Eduardo Martinez (Colombia), Joel “Pibo” Marquez, Juan Carlos Hernandez (both from Venezuela), Ramses Araya (percussionist with Ruben Blades), Puripae (Korea), Tambores de San Millan (Venezuela), Familia Silva (Brazil), Entreverao de Raices (Venezuela), Acuarelas Criollas del Peru (Peru) and Teatro Negro de Barlovento (Venezuela).
Meanwhile, most drumming groups belonging to confraternities or drum societies have stayed at home to lead San Juan festivities.
In Carabobo State's Borburata village where the San Juan Society was founded in 1886, Patanemo and Puerto Cabello (Barrio San Millan), reports have been coming of massive attendance of tourists and one death (in Borburata).
The "encounter" of statues of San Juan, traditionally held on June 23 in Puerto Cabello when Patanemo transports its patron by sea to meet those of other societies waiting on the shore was witnessed by hundreds of dancing devotees.
Meanwhile, another international event called the "1st International Festival of Afro-American Traditions" has taken place in Maracay and Cata coastal village with the presence of more than 300 musicians, babalawos (Santeros) and experts from Brazil, Cuba, USA, Haiti, Nigeria and Venezuela.
Several local confraternities headed the religious ceremonies, such as bathing the sainst and adorning the altar. The Festival coincides with the international event in Caracas and closes on June 29 Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
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