However, when the carnival arrives, it is impossible not to think about samba, garotas, parades, costumes, and a lot of partying. Every year, the Latin American streets overflow with that spirit of joy that characterizes us.

Undoubtedly, the carnivals of Rio in Brazil and Barranquilla in Colombia are among the best known in the world. But of course, throughout Latin America, other carnivals that are not as well known are worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime. Therefore, in this post, we will talk about some of the carnivals in South America that we may not have known.

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Gualeguaychú Carnivals

Perhaps, the Gualeguaychú Carnivals in Argentina are one of the most widespread festivals in this country. As expected, it is almost impossible to take two months of vacation. However, you can choose a Saturday from January to February to enjoy these carnivals.

Gualeguaychú, belongs to the province of Entre Ríos and is located 200 kilometers from Buenos Aires. This celebration is known as “The Carnival of the Country”. It is a party that attracts a large crowd of people and has its Sambodromo, which they call Corsódromo. In the Corsodromo some different groups and bands make people dance to the rhythm of samba and typical Argentine music. It is also common to see feather and glitter costumes throughout the carnival celebration.

Montevideo Carnival

The Montevideo Carnival in Uruguay is another of the most widespread celebrations in Latin America. This festival always begins the third week of January and ends in mid-March. Like others, this event begins with an opening parade of the troupe, floats, costumes, and lots of dancing. This parade is followed by shows and performances featured by renowned Uruguayan artists and musicians. There are also comedy shows that feature classic skits and skits.

This carnival is well loaded with music, dancing, drumming, comedy, and theater from start to finish. The Montevideo Carnival is a unique mix of African and European customs and traditions. The roots of this celebration have their origins in the times of the slave trade.

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Carnivals of El Callao

Another carnival that is not well known is the carnival of El Callao in Venezuela. This event starts the week before Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

This carnival is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity due to its incredible ancient tradition. In addition, it usually lasts until March and is full of parades with historical or mythical characters. The madams, the half pintos, and the devils are the most typical characters of this carnival.

These are just some of the peculiar carnivals that take place in Latin America, but of course, we know that this festivity is celebrated throughout the region. We invite you to read our post “Hispanic Music Genres”

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The truth is that Hispanic-American musical genres are a mixture of influences that add flavor, joy, and feeling to life. The tumbao of the Latin Caribbean, the Spanish and Muslim influence, along with African and Andean rhythms, among other elements, have laid the foundations for Latin American musical diversity.

In this post, we will review some of the best-known musical genres of Hispanic American culture.

Reggaeton

Reggaeton is one of the most popular Hispanic musical rhythms today. The genre is like the Latin version of hip-hop. However, although this genre is urban-like hip-hop, it mixes with the tropical due to its festive and danceable nature.

There is an eternal dispute between those who affirm that reggaeton is from Panama and others who say, Puerto Rico. However, the vast majority agree that reggaeton originated in Panama in the 1980s. At first, it was called Spanish Reggae due to its influence on Jamaican rhythm. One of the first exponents of reggaeton was El General, a Panamanian singer from the early 1990s.

Salsa

Of course, salsa cannot be missing from this Hispanic musical genres list. Without a doubt, it is one of the best-known Latin social dances worldwide and danced to the rhythm of the music that has the same name.

There are many theories of the origin of the name Salsa. One of the best known refers that the world salsa as a musical and dance genre became popular in New York at the end of the 1960s. Salsa is the product of the mixture of too many Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Its foremost influence is the Cuban Son. But mambo, chachachá, guaracha, and rumba, among other rhythms, are also part of salsa.

Cuban Son

Cuban Son is practically the father of salsa. It is one of the most influential Cuban music and dance genres in the world. From the son was born the mambo and other Afro-Caribbean rhythms. In addition, thanks to the influence of Son, the bolero became a piece of danceable music.

The birth of the Cuban Son came from the fusion of African musical traditions of Bantu origin with Spanish musical traditions. Today the Son is present in salsa, musically and danceable. It is worth mentioning that, from Son, salsa inherited many of its steps and dance movements, the rhythm of the key among other elements.

Mambo

Mambo is another Cuban musical genre and dance that gained popularity in various parts of the world. Its international boom occurred in the 40s and 50s, conquering Mexico, the United States, and some European countries.

According to comments, the word mambo means conversation with the gods in the Kilongo language, one of the many African languages ​​that arrived in Cuba. Some historians also claim that “Mambo” was the name of the priestess in some African traditions. This priestess helped people to enter into communion with the gods through the trance of dancing. Mambo dance from Cuba inherited this characteristic of trance and frenzy. Therefore, since it hit the tracks, mambo was a revolution in expression that became popular.

Cha Cha Cha

Another dance and musical genre from Cuba since 1950 is Cha Cha Cha. Its root is the danzon. It is a danceable rhythm, but with a slower than mambo. When the Cha Cha Cha came out, the dancers began to create new steps taking the mambo dance as a reference.

The name Cha Cha Cha refers to the steps of this dance. Describe the sound of the shoes when the dancers make the most distinctive steps Cha Cha Cha: 3 steps that danced in 2 beats. His popularity conquered the United States and much of Latin America. Today, like salsa and bachata, Cha Cha Cha is one of the many styles taught in dance academies.

Guaguanco

Guaguanco originates from the Cuban rumba. It is the most popular style outside Cuba. It is a type of rumba with the fastest rhythm. In addition, guaguanco is considered a dance of seduction and sexual conquest. The man tries to seduce the lady with pelvic movements, and the woman resists and rejects her advances, but she also does her seduction dance more subtly.

Currently, the movements of guaguanco are present in the vast majority of Latin dances. The movement of the hips, pelvis, and shoulders, widely used in salsa and other dances, are inherited from guaguanco.

Other musical genres also enrich Hispanic American culture and which we will talk about in the second part of this post.

We also invite you to read our post: The Ancient Art of the Payada

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Its development occurred with a considerable emphasis in much of South America. Argentina is one of the countries where the Payada is most known. However, it is also a tradition in Uruguay, southern Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay.

In general, the Payada is the improvised intonation of verses between 2 or more payadores who are challenged by each other in what they call “contrapunto” (counterpoint). It is also possible that the payador recites his verses individually to the rhythm of the guitar.

The main issues they talk about in the Payada are death, love, daily life, and daily work. The Payada consists of eight-syllable verses, organized in a quatrain, sixths, and tenths.

Origin of the Word Payada

According to some historians, the word Payada derives from the word payo, which refers to peasants in Castile. It is also related to the word Pagés, which in Catalan also means peasant.

Another theory places the origin of the word Payada in the troubadours of Provence (southern France), who liked to establish controversy in verses.

“In the etymological dictionary of the Castilian language, Corominas gives a more accepted explanation at present: Pallar, Amer, ‘improvise couplets in controversy with another singer’, 1855”.

Payada in Argentina and Uruguay

In Argentina, the Payada is considered an important part of the national culture, so they promote counterpoint events and even competencies between payadores and rappers.

In fact, on July 23, Argentina commemorates National PAYADOR Day, celebrated for the first time in 1996. That arose after a Payada between an Argentine and an Uruguayan.

In 1884, 2 payadores celebrated a Payada in the Uruguayan city of Paysandú. It was the Uruguayan Juan Nava and the Argentine Gabino “El Negro” Ezeiza, who gave rise to the national PAYADOR day. Since then, every July 23, dozens gather from the monument located in Tres Arroyo’s town to celebrate their day.

In Uruguay, where the Payada also has popularity, they celebrate the day of the PAYADOR on August 24.

Payada in Chile and Brazil

In Chile, the affection for Payar is also estimated and is known as “pallada” with double ll. It stands out in the central area as part of the peasant culture. “The most used verses are the quartet and the tenth. The legendary counterpoint in the quartet between Juan de la Rosa and the mulatto Taguada is the most outstanding account of this tradition. “

In Brazil, the Gauchosca region in the south stands out, which is like an extension of the Río de la Plata. There it is called Pajada, which in Portuguese sounds like “Payada”

In Brazil, the “Pajadas” are sung in Verses of Tenth Espinela, with an accompaniment to a support musician, usually following the style of Milonga. The Payador or Pajador in Brazil is considered a “repentista”, a name used by artists who sing improvising the verses in that country.

Payada in all Latin America

The Payada is present in many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Even Cuban people have their Payada tradition.

On the other hand, there are musical art genres whose essence is the same. Such is the case of Colombia’s piquería. Here they highlight the story of Francisco Moscote, “Francisco El Hombre” Character mentioned in the book “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez. The anecdote tells that “Francisco El Hombre” faced the devil in a vallenato “piquería” and defeated Belcebu singing the Catholic Creed backward, making him flee in terror.

A similar story is “Florentino and the Devil” from Venezuela. In this story, the devil challenges a cowboy called Florentino to a night of singing (counterpoint). The legendary Llanero defeated Satan with his verses, entrusted to the Holy Trinity. This poetic work by Alberto Arvelo Torrealba is a composition made in eight syllables using the tenth. In other words, what in Venezuela is called a counterpoint is a style of Payada. Or we could also say the Payada is a counterpoint style.

The art of Payada, like the rap and hip hop genre popular today among youth, also consists of rhyming verses. Although they are different musical styles, they have the essence of rhymes and improvisations that characterize the Payada.

We also invite you to read our post: The Irresistible Merengue: Dominican Republic Music

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However, it is no secret to anyone that, in addition to turkey, each country in Latin America and the Caribbean has its typical Christmas and New Year dishes. In this post, we will review some of the most traditional Latin American and Caribbean Christmas foods.

The Venezuelan Hallacas (pronounced ayacas)

Venezuelan Hallacas is one of the Christmas dishes that most highlight the diversity and delicacy of Latin America and the Caribbean. They are similar to a tamale because they are wrapped in banana leaves. Beef, chicken, pork, olives, capers, raisins, onion, and paprika are added to the dough, all chopped and mixed. In each province, a particular ingredient is added The combination of these ingredients gives the Hallacas a unique flavor that will make your mouth water.

This dish is accompanied by hen salad and Pan de Jamón (ham bread) another traditional Venezuelan Christmas food. To close as dessert, the Christmas dinner ends with the tasting of the traditional lechoza (papaya) in syrup or the famous black cake.

The Mexican Guajolote

Guajolote is the way they refer to turkey in some regions of Mexico. In fact, it is often stated that the tradition of eating turkey was born in Mexican territory in pre-Columbian times. Aztec culture ate guajolote during the winter solstice to celebrate a festival called Panketzaliztli in honor of the god Huitzilopochtli. The truth is that guajolote or turkey are never missing from Mexican tables during the Christmas festivities.

Turkey can usually be stuffed with different stews or bathed in sauces. Also added to the Mexican Christmas dinner are chicken or pork and chili sauce, cod, and, for dessert, the traditional buñuelos.

The Argentine suckling pig

In Argentina, one of the most typical Christmas dishes is suckling pig. It can be stuffed or roasted. How they eat in the height of summer during the Christmas season, Argentines accompany the suckling pig with a cold salad. In addition, they usually eat a dish of European origin called Vitel Thone, which consists of very tender slices of meat accompanied by a tuna sauce with cream.

As a dessert, they can not miss the typical panettone and their popular drink mate.

The Colombian ajiaco

In Colombia, as in many Latin American countries, the Christmas dish varies by region. In Bogotá, the Colombian capital, as well as other places in this South American country, the ajiaco from Santa Fe stands out as a Christmas dish. This dish is served with pastusa potatoes, creole potatoes, shredded chicken, corn on the cob, peas, onion, coriander and capers. In addition, it is accompanied with milk cream. Other dishes such as creole hen and tamale are also served.

On the other hand, the buñuelo, the custard, and the puff pastry are the typical sweets accompanying the Christmas celebration.

The Cuban congrí

Rice with beans, called congrí, is the traditional dish of Cuban Christmas; roast pork as aside. In addition, dinner includes a tomato, carrot, lettuce, cucumber salad; yucca, and plantain.

As for the Christmas desserts, the nougat, the pudding, the flan, and the torrejas are always present.

Brazilian cod

Cod is one of the most used fish in Christmas dinners in Brazil. The most common is the golden cod, served with French fries, onion, eggs, garlic, and parsley. They also eat stuffed turkey, marinated pork tenderloin, and rice.

As a Christmas dessert, the torrijas and the panettone filled with brigadeiros stand out, one of the most traditional desserts in Brazil.

Ecuadorian stuffed turkey

For Ecuadorians, the main Christmas dish is a turkey stuffed with minced chicken and pork, walnuts or almonds, bread soaked with milk, raisins, peas, and carrots. The turkey is usually accompanied by a Russian salad dressed with peach sauce.

As for the typical sweets of the equatorial Christmas, there are the pristiños bathed with honey and rompope, a sweet drink based on milk, eggs, brandy, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Puerto Rican Green Banana Cakes

In Puerto Rico, the typical Christmas dish is the famous green banana cakes, which like the Venezuelan Hallaca are wrapped in banana leaves. They are filled with meat, rice, and pork. This dish is a mix of 3 cultures: the local indigenous peoples, the Spanish, and the African slaves. It should be noted that, in many Puerto Rican homes, these cakes are usually eaten all year round.

The typical Christmas dessert par excellence, which usually accompanies green banana cakes, is flan.

The Bolivian picana

Bolivian Christmas is accompanied by the picana, a broth that contains beef, chicken, pork, and lamb. In addition, they add potatoes, peas, carrots, and other vegetables to this typical Christmas dish that undoubtedly gives it a unique flavor.

In Bolivia, dessert is usually left for the morning of the 25th when families taste a cup of hot chocolate for breakfast with a piece of panettone.

These are just some of the best known Latin American and Caribbean Christmas foods.

We also invite you to read our post: “Yulimar Rojas: Venezuela’s Olympic Champion and Best Female Athlete”

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This Venezuelan athlete wrote one of the most important chapters in sports history in the Olympics games in Tokyo 2021 when she won the gold medal. She jumped to a dimension that any jumper had never reached before and pushed herself up to 15.67 meters. After that, she left behind what had been the record of the specialty for 25 years; 15.50 of the Ukrainian Inessa Kravets in 1995.

In 2021, Rojas also won the Diamond League and added the best record in the indoor specialty. Another achievement has been to become the first Latina woman in athletics to be recognized by Guinness World Records.

Yulimar Rojas History 

She was born on October 8, 1995, in Caracas, Venezuela, but raised in the coastal city of Puerto la Cruz, where she took her first steps in athletics. At first, she was only interested in playing volleyball, the sport she practiced as a hobby for many years.

Inspired by the Venezuelan volleyball team, she approached the Puerto la Cruz sports center. She intended to represent her country in this sport. But there was no volleyball coach in the region, so she was captured by athletic teachers who recognized her good biotype, height, and long legs. From that moment, Yulimar Rojas began to practice the high, triple, and long jump modalities.

Curious Facts about her Career

Her perseverance and discipline gave her other recognitions, such as the South American youth record in the high jump with the 1.87-meter mark, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

One of her greatest idols is her current coach, Iván Pedroso, the Cuban athlete nine times world champion in the long jump. Yulimar Rojas comments that one day decided to contact him through Facebook to ask him to be her coach. “I really like social networks. When Facebook suggested him to me as a friend, I decided to write to him. I told him that I was a young athlete from Venezuela, that he was my idol, and that I wanted to train with him”.

Two months later, he made his dream come true and began working with Iván Pedroso in Madrid, Spain. With Pedroso’s experience and Yulimar’s dedication, the results were swift. At just 18 years old, she won the gold medal at the 2014 South American Games, in the high jump with 1.79 meters.

From High Jump to Triple Jump

Although the triple jump was not in her plans, the opportunity came to her in 2014 when she participated in the World Junior Athletics Championships in Eugene, United States. With a mark of 12.99 meters, Yulimar conquered first place in that competition.

Later, at age 19, she won the continental triple jump title at the South American Athletics Championships. Two years later, the Venezuelan athlete won the Madrid Winter Trophy, with the mark of 14.69 meters in the triple jump.

In March 2016, she became the youngest indoor triple jump world champion in history, with a record of 14.41 meters in Portland, United States. With this result, Yulimar was also crowned the first Venezuelan to get a gold medal in this discipline.

Over the years, the Venezuelan jumper, in addition to surpassing her opponents, has managed to beat her marks. Proof of this is the record of 15.43 meters obtained on February 21, 2020, at the Meeting in Madrid, Spain, and the 15.67 meters in Tokio 2021

Awards and Recognitions

Yulimar Rojas has accolades as a two-time world champion in indoor track and a three-time world champion in long indoor track. She is also a two-time world outdoor champion in the triple jump specialty and several times Pan American, Bolivarian, and South American medalist.

Thanks to her outstanding Olympic career, she has been awarded as the Best Female Athlete of the Year 2020 by the World Athletics and the Best Female Athlete of 2021 by the International Association of American Sports Press. In addition, the Venezuelan jumper became in April 2021 the first Venezuelan athletics competitor to be recognized by Guinness World Records. This recognition is thanks to the longest triple jump in history in an indoor competition in the women’s category.

She affirms that she is proud of this well-deserved award: “I am very, very happy, very amazed and very motivated to do my best and even more because today I receive my Guinness Record plaque.”

We also invite you to read our post:“Olympic Games and Sports Day”

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Of course, there are films considered Christmas classics, which generally belong to the great Hollywood film industry. “Home Alone”, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”, “Miracle on 34th Street” or “It’s a Wonderful Life” among many others are some of the most enjoyable films the days before and after Christmas Eve.

However, there are also cinematographic works that show another perspective of Christmas. Latin America, for example, has stood out in recent years for highlighting movies made in this region. Among so many categories, Latin American Christmas cinema has also emerged. These are some outstanding titles of Latin American Christmas movies.

Santos Peregrinos

One movie of Mexican cinemas of the modern era is “Santos Peregrinos” a 2004 film. It is a Mexican Christmas story, which reflects the celebrations of the Christmas season and the ambition disguised as goodness.

In this film, the hero of Mexican independence, Emiliano Zapata, gives some Christmas figures to a woman with a baby. 85 years later, an old man who claims to be Zapata’s son celebrates Christmas Eve with these figures and dies days later. The event happened in a classic neighborhood in Mexico City, where neighbors discuss who should keep the figures.

They create a battlefield for the figures, and all kinds of hilarious situations typical of Mexican humor occur. The fight begins when the neighbors discover that the figures of the pilgrims are of gold.

The Magic Night

Latin American comedy is almost always present in all the films made in that region. “The Magic Night” is one of those cinematographic works that do not escape Latin humor. It is the title of a typical Christmas movie, where Santa Claus sleight and reindeer throw the gifts down the chimneys.

This is a co-production film between Argentina and Uruguay that shows a different perspective on the traditional formula of Christmas movies. A dysfunctional couple and their little girl, infidelity, and a thief with a white beard mistaken for Santa put the humor to this movie.

On Christmas Eve, Kira betrayed her husband with another guy named Cachete. They were in the bedroom when John, (Kira’s husband), got home. Then, Cachete went to the balcony to try to hide. But suddenly he found something worst, a thief with a white beard and a red suit like Santa Claus.

The thief proceeded to handcuff everyone present. Meanwhile, the robbery is complicated when he meets Alicia, the couple´s daughter. When she saw the thief, she thought he was Santa Claus and extended a Christmas wish list to him.

A Christmas Summer

Another film that is part of the Latin American Christmas cinema is the Peruvian “A Christmas Summer”. It is a musical comedy that tells the story of a hardworking woman who is home to 4 orphaned children with totally different personalities.

An accident will put them in trouble just days before Christmas, forcing them to raise funds for a medical operation. In this film, released in 2017, the crew created music focused on the arrival of Christmas. The same actors performed all the songs.

Christmas

“Christmas” is a Chilean film from 2009. Three teenagers from Santiago de Chile, with many problems, ended up spending Christmas Eve together.

Alejandro and his girlfriend, Aurora, visit the house of Aurora´s late father on Christmas Day. Then, they found a 15-year-old girl on the run, alone and lost, who became their companion during that long Christmas night. They told each other’s problems and explore their sexuality.

Due to the theme, “Christmas” is considered a film for an adult audience.

2 Dads at Christmas

This Ecuadorian film from 2017 tells the life of Belen, a young woman with Down Syndrome that managed to become an Olympic swimmer. Abandoned by her biological father, Dr. Matías Santander, she grew up with her mother and stepfather.

That change one Christmas eve of one important swimming tournament when her life is turned upside down with the return of her biological father after 20 years of absence.

The return of Belén’s father after so many years fuels the young swimmer’s excitement to meet him. At the same time, discomfort is generated with the girl’s stepfather, who has to live with Belén’s biological father.

These are just some of the movies of the Latin American Christmas cinema. A different touch to the typical Christmas movies. You can enjoy these cinematographic works through the different streaming platforms on the internet.

We also invite you to read our post: “Traditional Christmas food from Latin America and the Caribbean”

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In April 2021, the Venezuelan doctor received his beatification by the church, approved by Pope Francis. This fact made known the healing of Yaxury Solórzano, the girl of the miracle that made José Gregorio a blessed by the Catholic Church.

Now, in addition to the miracles and his beatification, there are other curious facts about the life of the “doctor of the poor” that are worth knowing.

Curious Facts of José Gregorio Hernández

The “doctor of the poor” was born on October 26, 1864, in the town of Isnotú, Trujillo state, that is, in the Venezuelan Andes. At first, he wanted to study law, but his father convinced him to study medicine, a career with which he fell in love. He studied at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV). He studied at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV); it is said that he was the best student in his class.

Due to his academic merits, he studied at the University of Paris, thanks to a scholarship granted by the then president of Venezuela, Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl. In Paris, he studied Microscopy, Bacteriology, Normal and Pathological Histology, and Experimental Physiology.

He was a professor at UCV for almost 30 years and was the founder of the Chair of Pathology. At the same time, he dedicated himself to curing those most in need. His achievements in medicine and his dedication to healing the sick join to other curiosities little known in the life of José Gregorio Hernandez. Here are some of them:

Religious heritage

According to his biography, in the lineage of his great-grandfather, José Gregorio Hernández was the family of Santo Hermano Miguel on the paternal side. Meanwhile, on the maternal side, he was a descendant of Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros. Meanwhile, on his mother’s side, he was a descendant of Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros.

Tailor

Due to his difficult economic situation, when studying medicine, a tailor friend taught him how to make suits. This knowledge served him to earn a living and make various costumes for himself.

Writer

In addition to his love for medicine, José Gregorio Hernández was passionate about reading and writing. He wrote five literary works, 4 of which he published in a Venezuelan magazine called “El Cojo Ilustrado.” (the illustrated lame).

Polyglot

He had a perfect command of Spanish, French, German, English, Italian, Portuguese, and understood Latin.

Curiosities about his death

José Gregorio Hernández, died on June 29, 1919. One day after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which sealed the First World War ended. The renowned doctor turned out to be a fatal victim of the second car accident registered in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. Due to the high cost of spare parts, motorized vehicles had not become so popular in Venezuela at that time. According to estimates, there were about 700 vehicles including buses, cars, and trams, many of them were not in operation.

The car driver was Fernando Bustamante, a 28-year-old mechanic friend of José Gregorio Hernández, who had borrowed the car. He was arrested by the authorities, but the blessed’s brothers asked that he be acquitted. Later, Bustamante had to flee to Curaçao. The police accused him of being involved in a plan to overthrow the dictator Juan Vicente Gómez.

It´s said that, at the time of his fall after the accident, José Gregorio Hernández shouted “Virgen Santísima”. Others affirmed that after hitting his head the doctor said “this had never happened to me; what a horrible thing ”.

Bustamante and another companion took José Gregorio to the José María Vargas Hospital. However, the doctor passed away after arriving at the health center.

The blessed presented a skull fracture that took his life. Curiously, Yaxury Solórzano, the girl that miraculously was saved by Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and allowed him the beatification, had the same injury.

We invite you to read our post:“Olympic Games and Sports Day”

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The extent of their popularity has led to these multi-colored creatures being exhibited in various venues. It is common to find alebrijes in public squares, markets, and renowned museums inside and outside of Mexico.

These types of traditional crafts are usually paper-mâché figures. Alebrijes are fantastic figures that combine physiognomic elements of various animals. It can be real or imaginary and painted with vibrant colors.

Origin of Alebrijes

When talking about the origin of alebrijes, we need to talk about the story of its creator Pedro Linares López. This artist was born in Mexico City in 1906 and inherited from his father the traditional art of making paper-mâché sculptures, an occupation known as cartonería in Mexico.When Pedro was 12 years old, he already knew how to make piñatas very well; he also made gloomy figures for the Day of the Dead and the Judas figures on Christmas Eve.

Since then, this artist became an expert in this craft. But when he was 30 years old, a terrible disease that brought him to the brink of death rendered him unconscious and plunged him into a strange dream. According to Pedro, he saw himself in a forest where strange and fantastic creatures lived. These beings accompanied Pedro for a long journey until he regained consciousness.

In his dream, the artist claimed that among the creatures he saw a donkey with butterfly wings, a lion with a dog’s head, and a rooster with bull’s horns among other strange animals. In addition, he heard that these beings shouted in chorus: “Alebrijes, Alebrijes…”. From this peculiar dream, the idea of creating these beautiful creatures and their name of them arose.

From Dream to Reality

After recovering completely, Pedro Linares decided to make known those strange beings who had accompanied him during his illness. Making use of his skills as an artisan, he began to take pieces of paper and model the figures that he had in his mind.

The figures were representations of what he had seen in his dream and the alebrijes were born. Such was the impression these creatures made throughout Mexico that they later became known in Latin America, the United States, and Europe.

In 1990, Linares received the National Prize for Sciences and Arts for his outstanding artistic work. This award was a recognition to the author for maintaining and preserving the popular traditions of Mexican art.

The artist passed away two years later at 86, leaving the alebrije culture alive, today a tradition continued by his relatives and other Mexican artists. Linares created several alebrijes for other renowned artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. This collection is in the Anahuacalli Museum in Mexico City.

Monumental Alebrijes Parade

Alebrijes are an important part of the Mexican cultural and artistic imagination. For this reason, since 2007, the Museum of Popular Art of Mexico City has organized the Parade of Monumental Alebrijes. A pompous event that promotes the art and popular culture of Mexico.

The event takes place every year at the end of October. In this parade, hundreds of artisans take great care making alebrijes up to 4 meters high to take them for a walk through the historic center of the Mexican capital. It is a great party that includes dance, music and many colors.

Oaxacan Alebrijes

Alebrijes were born in Mexico City, but their popularity spread throughout the country, and many artisans from other states began to make their versions. Such is the case in Oaxaca, where make alebrijes with carved wood. In addition, Oaxacan alebrijes are inspired by nahuales, supernatural beings that can transform into animals.

We also invite you to read our post:The Unique Venezuelan Zulian Gaita

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This likable, easy-to-dance rhythm has its origins in the mid-19th century. When became popular in the most populated cities of the Dominican Republic, replacing the European contradanza.

Origins of the Word Merengue

There are many theories about the name and beginnings of this tropical music. According to Flérida de Nolasco, Dominican musicologist, the denomination “Merengue” originates from the fudge known by the same name. The short and precise rhythms of this dance seem like the beating of the egg whites, similar to when the fudge is prepared.

Other writers attributed the name to the French word “Meringue” a European dessert introduced to Haiti. This legendary dessert is made with a mixture of egg whites and sugar. Haitians began to use this word to refer to a danceable musical genre.

The renowned Dominican historian Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi says that merengue emerged as a form of dance between 1844 and 1855 in the nascent Dominican Republic. Years later it became an emblematic symbol of that country and a piece of popular music in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Perico Ripiao and Merengue Orchestras 

Like other danceable musical genres, merengue has its variants. The oldest style is the typical merengue or “Perico Ripiao” played with accordion, güira, and Tambora. The name of “Perico Ripiao” appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, when merengue found its way into the most popular social strata of the city of Santiago known as El Cibao. They say this name is associated with a brothel called “Perico Ripiao.”

At that time in the Dominican Republic, “ripping the parakeet” referred to the sexual act. As merengue was the music that was heard the most in that place, people began to associate the genre with the name of the place. The phrase “we are going to dance a Perico Ripiao” became popular.

Government decree

As it was considered an ordinary rhythm, the merengue was rejected by the highest social class in that country. As the dictator Rafael Leónidas Trujillo wanted to increase his popularity among the masses, he drove the arrival of this irresistible rhythm to all classes making it a Dominican symbol.

Starting in 1950, several merengue orchestras were formed. Instruments such as the trumpet, the saxophone, the double bass were added and thus the so-called orchestral merengue was born. In the 1960s, the migration of Dominicans to New York brought merengue out of the Dominican Republic.

It was at that time that renowned figures such as Francis Santana, Frank Cruz, Alberto Beltrán, Joseíto Mateo (known as the king of merengue), and Tatico Henriquez, emerged. Among the merengue classic songs of that time are: “El negrito del Batey”, “Caña brava” and “Compadre Pedro Juan”.

The 70s and the golden age

The 70s represent the consolidation of “The Merengue” in the broad Hispanic spectrum. This irresistible rhythm was popularized on a large scale, ideal to enliven the parties of Latin American families. In those years, Johnny Ventura, † 2021 known as El Caballo Mayor, stood out. Ventura with his orchestra, the Combo Show, put humor to the lyrics of his songs giving an innovative touch to the genre. Such is the case of one of his greatest hits “Un poquito para atrás por favor”. (A little bit back please).

Another merengue great figure was Wilfrido Vargas. With Los Beduinos Orchestra, Wilfrido revolutionized merengue by showing the public a more accelerated style. His name will remain as one of the most important and recognized artists in the history of Caribbean music. He also promoted too many singers and musicians who are currently widely recognized.

Figures driven by Wilfrido Vargas

From Los Beduinos orchestra, emerged talented singers such as Sandy Reyes, Mickey Taveras, Eddy Herrera, and Jorge Gómez, whom Wilfrido included in his group, because of his incredible high-pitched voice. The voice of this singer becomes confused with that of a woman due to its ability to raise the tone. Some songs that Gómez sang in the orchestra were “El jardinero” and “El loco y la luna” among others.

Rubby Pérez also deserves a particular mention. This unique interpreter took his first professional steps in the group “Los Hijos del Rey”, a creation of Wilfrido. He achieved the final consecration when he became a member of Los Beduinos.

Wilfrido’s Creations

In the Dominican Republic and New York, numerous orchestras emerged. Years later, the new generations fused merengue with other Caribbean rhythms and even with rock and roll.

One of the first groups created was “Los Hijos del Rey”. Referring to Wilfrido Vargas as King of the merengue as he began to identify him. In that group, Bony Cepeda, Raulín Rosendo and Fernandito Villalona participated as the main voice. All of them gained enormous popularity that led them to become professionally independent and build the reputation they have today.

Another group that reached a great impact with the support of Wilfrido, although it was not his creation, was “Las Chicas del Can”. From this orchestra, whose main characteristic is that it was made up of women, many others later emerged. The interpreters Mirian Cruz and Eunice Bentances stood out among others no less important than were part of the “Las Chicas del Can”.

Among Wilfrido’s other creations, the so-called “Altamira Banda Show” and the “New York Band” represent the extent of Vargas’ influence among the populous and renowned community of Dominicans and the Latin Caribbean in the upper Manhattan of New York.

Johnny Ventura vs Wilfrido Vargas

Everything seems to indicate that those rivalries between reggaeton artists and rappers are not new. In the years of The Merengue boom, there was a strong media rivalry between the greats Johnny Ventura “El Caballo Mayor” and Wilfrido Vargas. The impact of this rivalry in the Dominican Republic divided the Caribbean country in two: “the Wilfridists” and “the Johnny Venturists”.

On the one hand, was Johnny Ventura with his Combo Show, with a more traditional but humorous merengue. On the other Wilfrido Vargas with The Beduinos orchestra, who increases the speed creating a faster merengue. Both proposals had their public and their detractors.

The false attack

It is said that the rivalry was so strong that a whole media show was created between the two artists. One of the most remembered rumors of that situation was the supposed placement of a bomb on an airplane where Wilfrido and his orchestra would travel. Ventura’s group was accused of plotting that attack. However, the information was later found to be false.

Advantaged children

It is also commented that the creation of the orchestra Los Hijos del Rey by Wilfrido Vargas was intended to compete with the Combo Show of Johnny Ventura. Everything indicates that the operation did not work, since the group began to stand out in such a way, that at a certain moment, Los Hijos del Rey began to be more in demand than Wilfrido’s orchestra. This generated discontent among the members of Los Beduinos. That was the reason why Bonny Cepeda and Fernandito Villalona decided to consolidate their solo careers.

At present, Wilfrido Vargas and Johnny Ventura assure that there never was such a rivalry between them, but that it was something that was generated between the fans and the media. However, something must have happened. On one occasion they appeared on a television program, denying any dispute between them and even recorded together, to calm those who believed in that rivalry.

What is true, is that both are two of the greatest exponents of merengue. Each one has given it their personal touch while remaining in the collective memory of Latin American and Caribbean families.

Some of Johnny Ventura’s musical hits are “Patacón pisao”, “El tabaco” and “Capullo y Sorullo”. On the part of Wilfrido Vargas, “The African”, “Soy un hombre divertido” (I am a funny man) and “El baile del perrito” (doggy´s dance) stand out among many others.

Other Outstanding Merengue Figures

Other figures also emerged from the populous New York community. Such is the case of the prominent Milly Quezada, who emigrated to the Big Apple at an early age, where she graduated with honors in communication and media. At the same time, she built a musical career with the group formed with her brothers. Milly is one of the most reputable merengueras today.

Other figures and groups from the Dominican Republic also deserve a special mention. Among these, we can highlight Sergio Vargas, whose only affinity with Wilfrido is the Dominican nationality. Sergio is a singer who had a hard time achieving success. He usually says that was because of his physical appearance. However, the humble “Negrito de Villa”, as he is also known, is one of the singers with a respectable number of internationally popularized hits. We can mention: “Los diseñadores”, “Al ritmo de la noche”, “Si algún día la vez”; his version of the super hit “La quiero a morir” and “Marola”, among others.

Other highly successful groups are Cuco Valoy and his son Ramón Orlando Valoy; El conjunto Quisqueya; The Rosario brothers, Josie Esteban and his patrol 15, among many others no less important.

Merengueros from Puerto Rico

This irresistible rhythm also has its representatives in Puerto Rico. From there, stand out the unique Olga Tañón and Elvis Crespo among others.

The 90s and Actual Times

At the end of the 80s and the beginning of the 90s, new merengue figures appeared. Such is the case of the renowned musician and singer Juan Luis Guerra. With his group called “Juan Luis Guerra and 440”, he creates more stylized merengue.

It is known that Juan Luis studied at the prestigious Berklee College in Boston. Initially, he had the idea of ​​making a jazz version of the Dominican merengue, and he did it in his first production entitled “Soplando” (Blowing). After its commercial failure, he began to reformulate his project.

Later his next record productions came out with a more stylized Merengue and with poetic lyrics that adjusted very well to the generation close to the end of the century. His album “Mientras más lo pienso, tú”, includes songs like “Tú” and “Me enamoro de ella”. (I fall in love with her).

He achieves enormous popularity with his albums “Bachata Rosa” and “Ojala, que llueva café” (I hope it rains coffee). The most liked songs on this one are “Woman del Callao”, “Visa para un sueño” and the one with the same name as the album. Since then he has become an ambassador of merengue in the world.

The new merengue trends

In the 1990s, the children of Dominican immigrants in New York began to fuse the urban American rhythm of rap and hip hop, with the irresistible Dominican rhythm. This was how The Merengue house or Merengue hip hop aroused.

The first groups to achieve recognition are Proyecto Uno, Illegales and the unforgettable Sandy and Papo. Later, many others groups became known, being Fulanito one of the most popular.

Since then the business and the taste of the new generations in music changed and from those movements, the urban rhythm and its aspects came out. However, the irresistible merengue does not stop dancing.

Today, merengue continues to be one of the most listened to dance genres in family celebrations, friends’ gatherings, and festive events. Its interpreters have spread all over the world, mainly captivating the Hispanic public with that joy that characterizes this irresistible tropical rhythm.

We also invite you to read our post: “The Unique Venezuelan Zulian Gaita”

La entrada The Irresistible Merengue: Dominican Republic Music se publicó primero en ehplustv.com.

Like all celebration dates, the day to celebrate sport has its history. Its origin lies in the inauguration of the first Olympic Games of the modern era, held on April 6, 1896, in Athens, Greece.

Olympic Games in Antiquity

According to records, the first Olympic Games was celebrated in 776 BC, in Ancient Greece. The dynamics of those games were different from the Olympics we know today. These sports activities were held in honor of Zeus, God of Heaven. Those who came to Olympia, the city where the games were held, had to bring an animal and sacrifice it to honor Zeus.

At that time, there were no prizes for second place. Women were not allowed to participate or witness the competitions. Men competed naked and were punished with a spanking if they cheated.

These ancient Olympics were held every four years. Being Ancient Greece, these sporting events included religious ceremonies, music, theatrical performance, poetic recitals, and other cultural activities.

Another characteristic was that only men who speak Greek very well could compete. The first games consist only of a foot race of 185 or 190 meters. Later, longer runs, wrestling, the pentathlon, and discus and javelin throws were added.

As the years passed, the Olympia games became more popular and other sports such as long jump and wrestling were added. As well as boxing, chariot and horse racing with jockeys.

According to writings, among the most prominent players is Alexander the Great, who participated as a teenager in a chariot race.

In 393 AD, almost 12 centuries after the first Olympics, the last Olympic Games were held. With the adoption of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, Emperor Theodosius banned all pagan celebrations, including the Olympics.

First Olympic Games of the modern era

These first games were held between April 6 and 15, in Athens, Greece, under the name of Games of the First Olympiad. Although there is a contradiction regarding the number of countries that competed at that time, the International Olympic Committee recognizes the participation of 14 countries.

The inauguration was held at the Panathinaikó Stadium, where some 60,000 spectators gathered with the athletes on the field. King George I of Greece, his wife, and his children attended the event.

150 choristers and nine bands perform an Olympic Anthem, which years later became the official anthem of the Olympics. Sports included were: athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming, tennis, and shooting.

Sport, development and peace

To commemorate this opening date of the Olympics, in 2013, the UN proclaimed April 6 as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. The objective is to make the population aware of the importance of sports and physical activity in health, education, inclusion, equality, and sustainable development.

For this reason, in almost all the countries, various activities are carried out that honor sport, such as races, marathons, and collective sports games. There are symposia, workshops, and talks related to sports and health: football, baseball, and gymnastics games, among other activities. In the same way, campaigns to promote sport and physical activity are very frequent.

Therefore, we can celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, doing some physical activity at home and sharing it on social networks.

We also invite you to read our post: “Yulimar Rojas: Venezuela’s Olympic Champion and Best Female Athlete”

La entrada Olympic Games and Sports Day se publicó primero en ehplustv.com.