BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE process of “discovering your Latin side” begun late last week when scores of individuals converged at Mojitos Cuban Lounge on Port Zante for the official launch of the 6th annual Latin Festival.
The festival will begin on October 19 is scheduled to end on October 25 with an anticipated Latin Fiesta, which is a huge party stretching from sometime in the afternoon down into the late hours of the evening.
The week is packed with a wealth of cultural activities, focusing predominantly on Mexican culture.
The activities include a Mexican Movie Night featuring ‘Norteado’ by Rigoberto Perezcano, a colloquium with the Director of the movie, a theatrical presentation in Nevis and in St. Kitts dubbed ‘The Enchantment, Mixed Shack’, free Latin classes, arts and craft workshops, warm-up events and a pre-party event.
The climaxing event will this year be held at Port Zante and will feature the Greenhouse Band, El Jeffery, El Rey Tulile, Mariachi Band UTPA, Mala Fe and NG2.
At the launch, an official of the Embassy of Mexico for the OECS located in St. Lucia, Maite Narvaez, told the gathering that she is pleased that Mexico would be the guest of honour during the Festival.
She gave it her seal of approval, noting that the easiest, fastest and strongest way to communicate is through culture.
Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority Racquel Brown gave the Festival a thumbs-up signal, noting that it is one of the festivals that the Authority has been promoting as an attraction for tourists to the island.
“Latin Fiesta is one of the festivals that we have been promoting to ensure that people know that St. Kitts is not only known for its beautiful beaches, but also for its culture and diversity.”
Similar stamps of approval and support were given by Jonel Powell, Ambassador and Special Envoy in the Ministries of Culture and Sports, and Honourary Consul to Mexico Jose Rosa.
Rosa, who also functions as a member of the Latin Festival Committee, gave a brief history of the Festival which began as a small party at Spice Mill and had attracted some 500 individuals. It grew the following year to about 1,500 and, in progressive years, decisions were made to incorporate more cultural expressions and extend it from a one-day fiesta to a week-long festival.
The event has mushroomed into one which caters to thousands of individuals and features Latin-inspired cuisine, theatre, music, arts and craft and dance.
Judging from the growth over the past years and the support that the local populace has given to the festival, Rosa expressed his belief that the Latin Festival “will become probably one of the biggest festivals in the Caribbean”.
The flavours, rhythms, ambiance and fun synonymous with the Latin Festival were present at the launch, and the Havana Express Band was on hand to kick started the celebration.
