As I have said before, Ecuadorians will start a parade at the drop of a hat, and for almost any reason. Apparently this applies to Peru too. We went in the town of Tumbes, and quickly came across these school kids preparing for a parade on the theme of ecology. Taxis in Cuenca are plentiful, but […]
Could be a Wedding. Could be a Divorce. Who Knows?
Another day in Cuenca, another parade it seems. Last night we heard music blaring from Parque Calderon in the center of town, with fireworks later. This morning we heard a band going by at 5:15AM, but rolled over and went back to sleep. This afternoon I walked out my front door and discovered the largest […]
33 Stages, 83 Bands, 2 Days of Music
Alliance Francaise is an international group that promotes French culture and language. Their Cuenca branch put on a massive music festival the last two days. There was very little tie-in to anything French, but there was music for everyone — jazz (our favorite), rock, metal, rap, electronic (actually a DJ when we went by that […]
Setenario Celebration (aka Feast of Corpus Christi)
Corpus Christi is a major Christian holiday in Ecuador. The celebration starts when the local Bishop leads a procession through downtown to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (aka “New Cathedral”) Following the Corpus Christi procession, the celebration of Setenario begins, as family businesses begin bullding castles. Castles always bring out large crowds to watch — […]
World Museum Day
Throughout Ecuador, there was yet another celebration — World Museum Day, or Dia Mundial de los Museos. Cuenca was represented by Museo Pumapungo, where folk dancers and bands performed throughout the day. We enjoyed listening to a band from Quito, and seeing the paintings of Ariel Dawi. Music at Pumapunga Museum from Burt Johnson on […]
Granda Era Has Passed
Incoming mayor Marcelo Cabrera greets the audience, kissing babies while protesters hold up banners Mayor Paul Granda left office today, as the new mayor Marcelo Cabrera was sworn in during a ceremony in Parque Calduron tonight. Two brass bands competed on the square — neither was very good… About a dozen protesters walked around peacefully […]
Futbol Pandemonium
Futbol Pandemonium from Burt Johnson on Vimeo. Futbol fans really get into a frenzy, jumping around like kangaroos I have gotten into the habit of always carrying a small camera with me around Ecuador (for those interested, it is a Sony RX-100 MK II). I never know when I will turn a corner and […]
Viernes Santo
Today is Good Friday (“Viernes Santo” in Spanish) in the Christian religion, which commemorates the day on which Jesus was crucified on the cross. Many Catholic churches in town had small parades where a statue of Jesus on the cross was taken around the neighborhood. Iglesia La Merced is one such church, about a block from our […]
Semana Santa
Ecuador is a very Catholic nation, and Cuenca is a city with numerous free concerts and symphonies. It is therefore no surprise that there have been a series of symphony concerts all week, each at a different church. Tonight we attended one at “The Old Cathedral” on Parque Calderon. We arrived a little late and […]
Foundation Day
Cuencanas take any excuse to celebrate, and they don’t limit their holidays to just one day. This weekend is an example, commemorating Foundation Day. This is the day (celebrated for four days…) that marks the time 457 years ago that the Spanish declared Cuenca a city. As in North America, there are a few purists that […]
