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A Carnival Queen with luxurious attire in allegorical carts, accompanied by "comparsas" and "tunas".
Its well earned prestige is based upon the luxury of its costumes and allegorical carts that exhibit the Queens,
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CARNIVAL IN PANAMA
For all Panamanians, Carnival is the most awaited annual event, their
popularity is comparable in Latin America with the famous Brazilian carnival, both in
popular participation, fun, as well as in their splendorous costumes and popular folkloric
allegories. The whole country, a multitude of people from all races and social
backgrounds, take to the streets for four days and five nights, for the sole purpose of
having fun.
In the mornings, the "mojaderas" (water is sprinkled on carnival
participants in the streets) refresh the tropical heat; in the afternoons the parades with
extravagant "Queens" with luxurious attire in allegorical carts, accompanied by
"comparsas" and "tunas" (cheerful groups of musicians and dancers)
delight young and old alike. At nights there are dances in popular public sites and
streets that complete a full day of festivities. The time for rest is rather short since
as soon as the sun appears the celebration begins once more. Come and see for yourself,
live your own Panamanian carnival experience. Contact your tour guide or travel agency and
plan your fun and relaxation trip to your liking.
This year Carnival 2002 begins on Friday night, February 8th, with a regal
celebration program that consists in the crowning of the "Queens" in Panama,
Penonomé, Chitré, Las Tablas, Capira, Chepo, Penonomé, and Dolega. All these
populations that are located in the interior of the country are open scenarios full of fun
and games, where the spontaneous manifestations of the Panamanians and the beauty and garb
of the Panamanian woman are outstanding.
The Carnival of the City of Las Tablas, in the Province of Los Santos, 282
kilometers and 4 hours away from Panama City, has become the most famous in the country
and a true spectacle of beauty and extravaganza of national and international fame. Its
well earned prestige is based upon the luxury of its costumes and allegorical carts that
exhibit the Queens, the main attraction of the celebration and the symbol of the
"tunas" of Up Town and Down Town Main street, that compete in providing the best
and wealthiest fantasy of color and cheerfulness to those who participate in this carnival
experience.
In LasTablas, thousands of people are congregated in a small plaza to
enjoy the exciting festive activities known as the "culecos" that are in essence
popular outdoor dances where participants are sprinkled constantly by clean water pumped
from cistern trucks. There are moments when the event comes to a climax when the Queens
parade with their beautiful costumes saluting participants while the songs and the
traditional typical music of the tunas play along. The luxury and the splendor of the Las
Tablas Carnival envelope the nights while the traditional rivalries among the Up Town and
Down Town Main Street "tunas", (each routing for its Queen), sing folkloric
tunes and dance around in impressive and majestic allegorical carts designed for each of
the 4 holidays. The celebration in Las Tablas doesn’t have any limits, you must come
prepared to enjoy an endless number of festive activities.
The Cities of Panama and the interior of the country
provide all tourist services such as lodging, food and communications, that allow you to
enjoy in a secure atmosphere, one of most popular celebrations of the American Continent.
We invite you to personally live the experience. Come and enjoy what Panama has to offer.
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The spontaneous
manifestations of the Panamanians and the beauty and garb of the Panamanian woman are
outstanding.
The
event comes to a climax when the Queens parade with their beautiful costumes saluting
participants while the songs and the traditional typical music of the tunas play along.
