Agua, Maicena y Espuma
Ecuador’s primary religious identity is catholic. Many celebrations at the national and local level reflect the catholic calendar, including Carnaval (Carnival, or Mardi Gras to those of us in the US). Carnival is a time for colorful, joyous and often out of control celebration before the beginning of the contemplative season of lent.
The main ingredients for carnival in Cuenca and much of Ecuador are water, cornstarch and foam (kind of a crazy string meets shaving cream). The objective? Get people wet! Or powdered, or covered in foam. The kids’ school allowed the students “play carnival” on the last day of school before their February break. Water was banned, althoughGabe reports that some classmates snuck in water balloons and water guns. Lucia came home with so much cornstarch in her hair that we sent her straight to the shower.
Other carnival play I witnessed were high school kids splashing each other in the Yanuncay river, and a few unfortunate high school girls drug into a fountain by their school. We ourselves were victims of a “drive by” foam attack during our February travels.. And when we toured the Sani community school in the Amazon one of the classrooms was still full of water from the carnival celebration on the last day of school.
We had the fortune of traveling to Ambato, the capital of Tungurahua province in the central highlands for the Festival de Frutas y Flores that celebrates both carnival and the anniversary of Ambato’s founding. The festival is just what it promises to be: a festival of fruit and flowers. Ambato was one of the first cities to ban use of water in carnival. Instead, it has developed an event that shows off the fruits and flowers that are grown in the region.
We visited a flower show on the main plaza which included sculptures created from flowers, a judged competition of flower arrangements in a number of different categories, a gallery of paintings in flower themes, an exhibition from the local flower club, a display of flower-themed cross stich, and an orchid sale.
Works of Art
Ecuador’s primary religious identity is catholic. Many celebrations at the national and local level reflect the catholic calendar, including Carnaval (Carnival, or Mardi Gras to those of us in the US). Carnival is a time for colorful, joyous and often out of control celebration before the beginning of the contemplative season of lent.
The main ingredients for carnival in Cuenca and much of Ecuador are water, cornstarch and foam (kind of a crazy string meets shaving cream). The objective? Get people wet! Or powdered, or covered in foam. The kids’ school allowed the students “play carnival” on the last day of school before their February break. Water was banned, althoughGabe reports that some classmates snuck in water balloons and water guns. Lucia came home with so much cornstarch in her hair that we sent her straight to the shower.
Other carnival play I witnessed were high school kids splashing each other in the Yanuncay river, and a few unfortunate high school girls drug into a fountain by their school. We ourselves were victims of a “drive by” foam attack during our February travels.. And when we toured the Sani community school in the Amazon one of the classrooms was still full of water from the carnival celebration on the last day of school.
We had the fortune of traveling to Ambato, the capital of Tungurahua province in the central highlands for the Festival de Frutas y Flores that celebrates both carnival and the anniversary of Ambato’s founding. The festival is just what it promises to be: a festival of fruit and flowers. Ambato was one of the first cities to ban use of water in carnival. Instead, it has developed an event that shows off the fruits and flowers that are grown in the region.
We visited a flower show on the main plaza which included sculptures created from flowers, a judged competition of flower arrangements in a number of different categories, a gallery of paintings in flower themes, an exhibition from the local flower club, a display of flower-themed cross stich, and an orchid sale.
Works of Art
A Mural of Flowers and Fruit
The day we were in Ambato was one of the first of the festival, and there was a mass to celebrate the opening, held on a platform in front of the cathedral. The entire front façade of the cathedral was covered in a mural made entirely of, you guessed it, fruit and flowers. It depicts Christ with an outstretched hand, surrounded by doves, children, etc. It is hard to give an idea of the size of the mural in these pictures. The front façade of the church takes up a city block. Part of the annual festival is a parade of floats all made of flowers and fruits, which we weren’t able to see. Having seen the mural on the cathedral, though, I imagine it is quite impressive.
The day we were in Ambato was one of the first of the festival, and there was a mass to celebrate the opening, held on a platform in front of the cathedral. The entire front façade of the cathedral was covered in a mural made entirely of, you guessed it, fruit and flowers. It depicts Christ with an outstretched hand, surrounded by doves, children, etc. It is hard to give an idea of the size of the mural in these pictures. The front façade of the church takes up a city block. Part of the annual festival is a parade of floats all made of flowers and fruits, which we weren’t able to see. Having seen the mural on the cathedral, though, I imagine it is quite impressive.
Enjoying the Festivities
All kinds of artists had set up their paintings, jewelry, etc. around the outside of the square, including a few vendors selling products made from the local fruit. There were a number of musical acts throughout the day, but the one I enjoyed was the unofficial one in the pictures below, an Andean musical group that also incorporated some saxophone into their set. It happened to be Valentine’s Day, so we treated ourselves to a lunch at a nice restaurant. In Ecuador Valentine’s day is know as El Dia de la Amistad, or friendship day, which was more appropriate for our group. Doug was on his way to meet us after spending some time on a birding trip with some friends. So it was, me, the kids, and our young family friend Tiffanie.
All kinds of artists had set up their paintings, jewelry, etc. around the outside of the square, including a few vendors selling products made from the local fruit. There were a number of musical acts throughout the day, but the one I enjoyed was the unofficial one in the pictures below, an Andean musical group that also incorporated some saxophone into their set. It happened to be Valentine’s Day, so we treated ourselves to a lunch at a nice restaurant. In Ecuador Valentine’s day is know as El Dia de la Amistad, or friendship day, which was more appropriate for our group. Doug was on his way to meet us after spending some time on a birding trip with some friends. So it was, me, the kids, and our young family friend Tiffanie.
We were delighted to spend part of Carnaval, and valentines day, at Ambato’s Festival de Frutas y Flores