By Nur Naizir
For Al Día Today

PALM BAY — Colombia’s “Golden Door” was opened in Palm Bay on Feb. 27 , as more than 150 people attended the first Barranquilla Carnival Dance at the Palm Bay Community Center.

Those in attendance enjoyed and danced to carnival music, including cumbias, folkloric dances, mapale, puyas and even Sanjuanero, a music from the interior part of Colombia .

“We had in mind this plan since long time ago, but we didn’t know how the public was going to respond. Definitely, the public responded well,” said Manuel Florez, who organized the event with his friend, Jesus Florez. “We decided to do it to unify the Colombian, Latin American and multicultural community, and enjoy the culture of Barranquilla and its traditions.”

The people who attended the dance enjoyed the event, which commemorates the four-day Barranquilla Carnival. They appreciated the multiple expressions of the Colombian Caribbean.“We were so delighted with the public participation,” Manuel Florez said. “We say ‘thank you’ to all the people who accepted our invitation. They were the ones that made this event a success.”

As a highlight of the night, dancers of the Colombia Baila folkloric group shined with their participation. In addition to cumbias and a colorful carnival dance, they surprised the public with the presentation of the Sanjuanero, a typical dance of Tolima, Colombia.

“Colombia Baila proudly showed its presence at the event,” said Virginia Pacheco, leader of the Colombian group. “Initially, there was not going to be any show, but, motivated by the public support, we decided to participate. The public knows and enjoys all the songs that we dance in parties around our community. This is what motivates us to show our folklore.”

The Barranquilla Carnival is one of the most important events in Colombia and one of the most colorful in the world. More than 1.5 million people, between Barranquilla natives and tourists, participate in the festivities. Celebrations begin with the popular pre-carnivals, running from the second Saturday of January until the second Saturday of February. Then, the carnival officially begins. The festivities end the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Like in Barranquilla, different cities and countries, including Panama, celebrate carnival. The most popular is the Rio de Janeiro carnival, characterized by great spectacles, its organization, beauty, rhythm and sensuality.

All these carnivals are originated from the great Roman ceremonies that are celebrated in February.

Next event

The organizers of the carnival event have announced that, by July 20, they will celebrate the independence of Colombia with a similar event, details of which soon will be announced. For more information about Colombia Baila, a group that is looking for more dancers, call 321-953-5329.

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