Letter Sent to the Andean Parliament Demands Replacement of Incorrect Images in Oruro Carnival Video

 The president of the Departmental Committee of Ethnography and Folklore (CDEF) is demanding the removal of incorrect images used in the promotion of the Oruro Carnival by the Andean Parliament based in Peru. The publication in question utilized images of the "diablada" dance from the Peruvian region of Puno.

Andrés Rocha, president of the Departmental Committee of Ethnography and Folklore (CDEF), announced that he will send a letter to the Minister of Cultures, Decolonization, and Depatriarchalization, Sabina Orellana, to file a complaint about a publication by the Andean Parliament based in Peru. The publication in question used images of the "diablada" dance from the Peruvian region of Puno to promote the Oruro Carnival.

Rocha emphasized that the CDEF's role is to protect and monitor videos produced by various local, national, and international institutions. On this occasion, a video was received, disseminated on December 28, 2023, using images unrelated to the Oruro Carnival.

Letter Demands Removal or Replacement of Incorrect Images

In response to this situation, the organizers under Law 602 decided to draft a letter addressed to the Andean Parliament, demanding the removal or replacement of incorrect images with authentic images of the Oruro Carnival, as it has been declared Intangible Heritage of the Andean Community.

Complaint to be Taken to Higher and International Authorities

On January 10, the letter was sent to the Minister of Cultures and Decolonization, Sabina Orellana. She will take this complaint to higher and international authorities since the Andean Parliament is headquartered in Lima, Peru.

Willingness to Provide Documentary Support

"Perhaps international institutions are not aware of this material, but we are prepared to provide documentary support if necessary. We are also willing to collaborate with the Ministry of Cultures to prevent such errors," he stated.

Bolivian Dances Recognized by UNESCO

Rocha also stated that Bolivian dances are recognized by UNESCO, which can be historically demonstrated. On the other hand, Peruvians claiming ownership of the carnival cannot support their claim; some even acknowledge that these dances originate from Bolivia.

Oruro Carnival as Intangible Heritage

The letter mentions that on May 18, 2001, the Oruro Carnival was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and on November 4, 2008, it was incorporated into the action plan for its safeguarding. Additionally, in 2012, the Andean Parliament recognized the Carnival as Intangible Heritage of the Andean community, with its 48 folkloric groups and 20 dance specialties.

CDEF's Commitment to Avoid Future Errors

The Departmental Committee of Ethnography and Folklore expresses its willingness to collaborate to prevent such errors in the future and to promote necessary information. They also extend greetings to the authorities and are ready to work on upcoming cultural activities in support of Bolivian folklore

Everything Ready for the Grand Carnival of Oruro, and Here's the Official Schedule of Activities

 The music and festivities are already in the air. With just under a month to go before Carnival 2023 is celebrated, Oruro, which has established itself as one of the main showcases for this celebration in the country and abroad, is all set to welcome its residents, as well as national and international visitors.

The organizations responsible for the carnival festivities in this region have announced the official activities that will kick off on Saturday, February 3rd with the 22nd Edition of the Carnival Band Festival of Oruro.

Precisely on Friday night, the official launch of the festival took place with the presence of the Minister of Cultures, Decolonization, and Depatriarchalization, Sabina Orellana, and the Departmental Federation of Bands and Professional Musicians of Oruro (Fedbampo).

Following the official announcement, music erupted with the sound of cymbals, trumpets, trombones, and drums, and many present began to dance. A small prelude to what is coming.

In addition to this, the Association of Folklore Groups of Oruro (ACFO) announced earlier that on Saturday, February 10th, during the Carnival Pilgrimage Entry, which is one of the highlights of Carnival, they will unveil four masks placed along the route of the Magnificent Carnival of Oruro to embellish and set the tone for the procession.

Angel Arancibia, president of the ACFO, stated that two of these four folk dance masks would be acquired by the municipality and a company that would collaborate in their creation, while the organization he leads would take care of the other two.

Two of these masks will be placed on Cívica Sanjinés Vincenti Avenue, and the remaining two on 6 de Agosto Avenue.

He mentioned that after a meeting with the three organizations in charge of the Oruro Carnival—the ACFO, the Municipal Autonomous Government of Oruro (GAMO), and the Departmental Committee of Ethnography and Folklore (CDEF), along with other collaborating institutions—they agreed to ensure health and safety with effective control during the festivities.

"We are placing eight giant screens along the route, continuously broadcasting messages related to prevention, responsible drinking, cleanliness, and respecting the sacred pilgrimage space," he explained.

To achieve this, gates and other necessary elements will be placed along the route for the Pilgrimage Saturday Entry.

Arancibia reported that 40 surveillance cameras would be properly installed to control the passage of groups and attendees.

Below is the confirmed schedule of activities in Oruro:

February 3rd: 22nd Edition of the Carnival Band Festival of Oruro

February 4th: Last Convite

February 8th: 31st Edition of the Anata Andina

February 8th: Comadres

February 9th: Chall’a Friday

February 10th: Saturday Pilgrimage Entry of the Carnival of Oruro

February 11th: Carnival Corso Sunday

February 12th: Day of the Devil and the Moreno

February 13th: Challa Tuesday

February 14th: Ash Wednesday

February 18th: Children's Corso

Daddy Yankee includes Bolivia in his farewell tour

 The Puerto Rican artist will perform in Santa Cruz de la Sierra on September 23. 

Daddy Yankee, one of the biggest names in the reggaeton industry, announced last week that his album "Legendaddy" would be his last and that he would say goodbye to a musical career of more than two decades with a concert tour called "La última vuelta". In the last hours, the Puerto Rican singer gave more details about this project and revealed that Bolivia is part of his last goodbye. 

"Last Friday we went out with the pre-sale of La última vuelta and it sold out in less than two hours. Tomorrow it goes on pre-sale in more cities and we repeat Miami", informed the rapper in his social networks.

Along with the message he shared an image informing about the next destinations, where he will visit Santa Cruz de la Sierra on September 23rd. 

According to his itinerary, Santa Cruz would be the first destination of the artist in South America, after his visit to the United States and before singing in places like Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires and Bogota. 

No further details are yet known about the location of the concert or ticket prices. 

"This race, which has been a marathon, I can finally see the finish line. Now I'm going to enjoy with all of you what you have given me, what you have given me," said Raymond Ayala, the Puerto Rican singer's first name, in the video in which he announced his farewell.

"I retire with the greatest gratitude, my audience, my colleagues, all producers, radio, press, television, digital platforms and you, who have been with me from the 'underground', from the root, from the beginning of reggaeton," he said. 

Daddy Yankee started his musical career in the album "Playero 34", by music producer DJ Playero, where the word reguetón or reggaeton was heard for the first time. With his vision of taking the genre to another level, he continued to participate in other productions and joined in a duet with Nicky Jam, releasing his album, "Haciendo escante".

However, the duo broke up, giving Daddy Yankee the opportunity to release in 2004 the album "Barrio Fino", which included "Gasolina", a song that exploded the career of the legendary reguetonero. Daddy Yankee went on to release several albums, including "El Cartel: The Big Boss", "Mundial" and "Prestige".

The artist is no stranger to Bolivian audiences, having come on at least two occasions, in 2009 and 2018.  

Award with her book of short stories 'You shine in the dark'.

 The prize is endowed with 25,000 euros (about 27,000 dollars). The jury's decision highlighted the great originality and expressive power of her work. This is the third book of short stories by the author from Santa Cruz.

Liliana Colanzi, with her book "Ustedes brillan en lo oscuro", has won the VII Ribera del Duero Prize for short stories, endowed with 25,000 euros (about 27,000 dollars), according to the jury's decision, which highlighted the great originality and expressive power of her work.

A jury chaired by Rosa Montero and also composed of Cristian Crusat and Marta Sanz, accompanied by Enrique Pascual, president of the Ribera del Duero D.O., and Juan Casamayor, editor of Páginas de Espuma, announced Wednesday the winning work among the 946 authors from 37 countries who submitted their books of short stories to this edition.

Colanzi beat four finalists: 'Una grieta en la noche', by Laura Baeza; 'Pombero', by Marina Closs; 'Un meteorito flamígero', by Pedro Juan Gutiérrez, and 'Todo lo que aprendimos de las películas', by María José Navia.

Colanzi's book will go on sale in paper simultaneously in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Mexico and Uruguay on May 11 in print and in ebook and audiobook worldwide.

Why is Father's Day celebrated in Bolivia on March 19?

 It is necessary to go back to 1974, when Hugo Banzer Suárez was president. On the other hand, according to the Government, parents have a tolerance of half a working day.

March 19 in Bolivia is reserved for celebrating fathers. It is a date instituted in the Bolivian calendar and recognized by the State. In fact, this Friday the Ministry of Labor issued a statement indicating that this Saturday, March 19, they will enjoy a half day of work tolerance.

"This a just tribute to all dads, they will have a shorter working day," said the General Director of Labor, Yecid Mollinedo, in a press release.

But, why does Bolivia celebrate fathers on this day? It is necessary to go back to May 24, 1974, when Hugo Banzer Suárez was president and ordered, through a supreme decree, that March 19 is to honor the role of fathers in the family nucleus and in the development of the country.

This tribute was inspired by 'Saint Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary', who is a central character in the Catholic faith. The Catholic Church celebrates St. Joseph on March 19.

And in honor of the father of Jesus' upbringing, whose trade, according to the Bible, was carpentry, the Carpenter's Day is also celebrated in our country on March 19.

This date also coincides with Radio and Television Workers' Day. 

Matamba denounces having been discriminated against because of his clothing in a restaurant in Santa Cruz

 The singer claimed that the owner ordered him to leave the venue because his shoulders were uncovered. 

Bolivian singer Juan Carlos Chiorino, better known as Matamba, claimed Wednesday to have been discriminated against in a restaurant in Santa Cruz because of the way he dresses. He made the complaint through social networks, where he regretted that this type of actions occur today. 

"They took me out, they prohibited me from being able to enter this place. It is very sad, we are in the XXI century. I think it is not healthy, it is not good to continue with attitudes or actions that do not help the unity of others," Matamba expressed in a video of about 20 minutes.

The artist said that he went to the place to celebrate the birthday of two of his brothers. He was already inside the establishment when one of the waiters approached him to tell him that he could not be "like that" in the place. When asked what he was referring to, the worker replied, "Your shoulders are showing." 

The young man was wearing a tank top belonging to an NBA team, which effectively left his shoulders exposed. However, as he was able to show in the audiovisual, he was not the only person in the place with similar garment, since even the owner was wearing a dress that showed that part of the body. 

She was told: "What happens is that they are women and you are a man". "I can't believe it, what's wrong with them being women? What's the problem? What's the difference? I don't think it's right," the singer reiterated. 

Matamba denounced that there was no sign or communiqué indicating this type of restriction and stressed that in the country there is no regulation that allows discriminating people for any reason. 

"I can't even speak because of the pain and sadness. It is appalling that in this time of so much progress, of so much struggle that is being made to try to make us walk a little more equal...and you know me, I have never done these things in twenty-something years of career, but to be discriminated against because you can see your shoulders...I don't know, I hope it was not because my color is a little darker or because I have some extra drawing. (...) Obviously I am going to file a complaint," she said.

The restaurant staff did not comment on the matter, but in the video a worker can be seen assuring that he "misunderstood" the situation and invited the artist to solve the matter "at another time".  

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Omar Ríos, leader of the band Deszaire from La Paz dies

  The singer Omar Ríos Arroyo, ex-volcalist and founder of the band Deszaire, died yesterday at the age of 44 due to a degenerative disease that kept him away from the stage since 2015.

Next March 17 will mark 22 years since the founding of the group from La Paz that reaped success in the rock/pop music genre in the national context.

The band was one of the icons of national rock in the 90s and the beginning of the new millennium.

"Todos mis anhelos" was one of the songs that brought great satisfaction to Ríos and Deszaire.

"It's been almost 18 years since this song was born, today more than ever it is still valid. What a joy and nostalgia to listen to it in the Corso de Corsos.... 'Todos mis anhelos', how much I love you and thank you for everything you gave to my career," read the last post Ríos shared, on March 5.

Ríos was born in La Paz on October 15, 1977.

In 37 years El Alto became the second largest city in terms of population and leader in production

 It is a strategic point for commercial distribution, which is reflected in its productive units. Of its enterprises, more than 30% are dedicated to commerce, the second category is construction. 

This March 6, El Alto celebrates 37 years of life. In these almost four decades of accelerated growth, the young city has become the second most populated city in the country. Its 14 districts are home to more than 30,000 productive units, a third of those legally registered in the entire department of La Paz.

Due to its strategic location, El Alto is an obligatory corridor for exports, which encourages its vocation in the areas of commerce and construction.

"Our eternal gratitude to our brothers from El Alto. We recognize the struggle of this courageous and tireless people. It is a people that has taught us the way to recover our democracy and our natural resources," said President Luis Arce on the eve of March 6.

The second most populated

The municipality of El Alto is located in the west of the country, in the high plateau and has an area of 387.56 square kilometers. It was created under Law 628 of March 6, 1985, as the fourth section of the Murillo province of the department of La Paz. It was not until September 26, 1988 that Law 1014 elevated it to city status.

In a previous interview with Página Siete, Gregorio Romero, one of the founders of El Alto (who died last October), detailed that the city was born with 307,403 inhabitants. The data was taken from a file on the birth of the city, which he treasured with devotion.

On sheets of paper yellowed by time, he kept the distribution of those first inhabitants in a typed list of the pioneer neighborhoods of El Alto: Bolivar A, Villa Dolores, Alto Lima, 16 de Julio I, 16 de Julio II, 12 de Octubre, Ballivián I, Ballivián II, Tejada Rectangular and Los Andes.    At that time there were only two sub-districts: north and south.

Today, that handful of houses scattered along the border with the seat of government has become one of the largest cities in the country. It has 14 districts, of which 10 are urban and four are rural.

According to projections by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) for 2022, El Alto has 1,109,048 inhabitants. In 37 years it managed to consolidate itself as the most populated city in the department of La Paz and the second at national level; below Santa Cruz de la Sierra (1,903,398 inhabitants) and above the seat of government (956,732 inhabitants).

While the average annual intercensal population growth rate for La Paz is -0.3%, for El Alto it is 2.4%. Although this is a significant figure, it is still below Achocalla, which has 3.4%.

 In line with the national trend, but not as pronounced, 51.3% -majority- of the population are women. Men represent 48.7%.

A report by the Dirección General de Análisis Productivo (Dapro) indicates that the population of the municipality of El Alto has a young age profile. It highlights that the majority of its inhabitants are between 10 and 19 years of age. In other words, unlike La Paz and Bolivian society, which is beginning to age, in the young city the majority of children, adolescents and young people are still young. 

But, of the more than one million inhabitants who are Alteños by heart and by conviction, there is a percentage who are also Alteños by birth. They are the inhabitants who were born in the young city after 1988, in a city already constituted. This group is between zero and 35 years of age and carries in their blood the mark of a thriving town.

"The young Alteño is enterprising, eager for progress without leaving aside his identity. We are children of migrants from La Paz, from the provinces, from the mines of Oruro and, therefore, a mixture of the most traditional of our Andean culture and the aspects of a completely modern city", defines Juan Pablo Copa. He is 35 years old and proudly assures: "I am from El Alto".

An urban center

At the level of the Murillo province, the municipality of El Alto stands out for its rate of urbanity, surpassing even the seat of government in this indicator and contrasting with the municipalities of Palca and Mecapaca, which are completely rural.

According to data from INE and the Ministry of Productive Development and Plural Economy (MDPyEP), the distribution of the population by area in El Alto corresponds to 99.8% in urban areas and 0.2% in rural areas. In the seat of government, 99% of the population is urban and 1% is rural.

A Depro publication from 2021 explains that currently the municipality of El Alto has 14 municipal districts, of which ten are recognized as urban (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 14) and four as rural (9, 10, 11 and 13).

"The demographic growth of the population of El Alto is one of the significant factors in urban expansion in the last decade. Consequently, the urban area of the city of El Alto is structured with a radial layout, combined with a grid layout. In relation to the process of district delimitation, changes in its jurisdictional delimitation were developed between 1997 and consolidated until 2013," he explains.

He adds that the proximity of the communities to the urban area is accelerating the changes from rural to urban land use. He warns that this allows illegal human settlements that encourage a land market without having the legal regulation completed. This has repercussions on legal insecurity in terms of property rights. 

Commerce and construction

According to the Bolivian Registry of Commerce, the Current Business Base (BEV) of the municipality of El Alto at the end of 2021 was 30,167 productive units legally registered in that city. During that period, 2,260 companies were created, which implies a 53% growth compared to those created in 2020, when 1,475 companies were registered.

"This increase in the registration of companies is a reflection of the reactivation and recovery of the economy," states the MDPyEP's Eco Bolivia bulletin, issued on March 3.

According to Fundempresa, 86% of the BEV belongs to sole proprietorships, while the number of limited liability companies exceeds 4,000 economic units. In addition, the municipality of El Alto has slightly more than 60 companies incorporated as corporations. Likewise, 36% of the established companies are dedicated to the commercial sector and 34% to the productive sector. The remaining percentage is dedicated to different types of services. "It is perceived that one of the factors that notoriously affects the tertiary character of the productive profile of the municipality of El Alto is the presence of many economic units dedicated to the commercial activity", indicates the Productive Report of the municipality of El Alto 2021, published by the Depro.

In the productive sector, the most representative sector is construction, followed by manufacturing industry. There are also companies in the areas of mining and quarrying; agriculture, forestry and fishing; water, sewage and waste management; and electricity and gas supply.

In terms of services, in descending order, there are companies in transportation and storage services; professional and technical services; information and communications; accommodation, meals, administrative services; education, health and social assistance; financial and insurance intermediation; and arts and entertainment activities.

"Despite its large tertiary sector, the municipality of El Alto has conditions for the development of industrial activities such as high-voltage electric power connections, natural gas networks, and local and international telephone communication services and fiber optic connections. These conditions allow it to generate a productive dynamic of some large and medium-sized companies, but mainly small enterprises in the areas of food, clothing made in small industrial, manufacturing and handicraft units," states the same document.

It adds that the fairs in different areas and districts, where there is the purchase and sale of all kinds of products, are the activities of greater representation in terms of informal trade in El Alto. Undoubtedly the most famous is the 16 de Julio Fair, known worldwide as the emblem of El Alto.

A gateway to export Bolivian products to the world. 

El Alto's geographical position makes it a strategic point for export, import and commercial distribution. It has access by air and land to the city of La Paz. It is also a connection point with the ports of Ilo (593 km), Arica (457 km) and Matarani (787 km) on the Pacific. It is connected to Oruro through 6 de Marzo Avenue - road to Oruro, which connects with the road to Arica, as well as with Cochabamba. The Juan Pablo II Avenue - Panamerican Highway connects to Desaguadero.

The first order roads are characterized for being structuring to the international transit roads, interdepartmental and municipal roads.

According to the document El Alto in figures, published by the INE last week, the main exit doors for export goods are located in the young city. These are the International Airport and the El Alto Industrial Free Trade Zone.

According to data published by the INE, the movement of goods through these customs reached US$2,742 million in 2021. The main route was the air terminal.

While US$2,741.87 million left through El Alto International Airport, only US$0.11 million left through the Free Trade Zone.

Other economic data

According to data from the Financial System Supervisory Authority, 99.9% of loans in the city of El Alto are in local currency, as are 95.5% of deposits.

Also, according to the MDPyEP, tax collection in the city of El Alto reached 324 million bolivianos. The amount increased by 26% compared to 2020, reflecting the economic reactivation.

As of October 2021, according to official data, El Alto's executed public investment reached US$91 million, while in the same period of 2020 it reached US$55 million. 

  

Comadres Thursday and its beginnings in the neighborhoods of Tarija

 This Thursday, February 24, the "Comadres" will gather at the Integration Avenue, where the Municipal Government of Tarija will hold the "Traditional Meeting of "Comadres". Vaccination card will be controlled 

Comadres Thursday has arrived and, after two years of pandemic, groups of friends are preparing to share pleasant moments. And not only in Tarija, because this festivity has gained followers throughout the country over the years. According to researchers, this festival has its origins in Spain, although it was influenced by the local agricultural calendar.

In Tarija it is more than an institution, it is a tradition that reflects the Tarija people's way of being, cheerful and friendly. Jacinta has made comadres since she was ten years old, she assures that the Chapaca tradition is in her blood. She remembers that several decades ago entire families were dedicated to the handmade elaboration of "tortas" for sale.

The "tortas" sellers were known in Tarija as "Comadres artesanas", being the traditional places of elaboration and sale of these delicacies the San Roque and El Molino neighborhoods, in addition to the town of San Lorenzo, known as "Tarija, la Vieja" (Old Tarija).

"First it was the mothers, then the daughters and today the granddaughters and great-granddaughters who keep this tradition alive", explain some of the comadres who still persist in working in the elaboration of the cake, in spite of their advanced age.

Jacinta says that since she was a child she helped her mother to sell the cakes and reveals that she later taught her own daughters how to make them. However, she is reluctant to give us the recipe, while she arranges her baskets on pillars to take them to sell them at the Theme Park, since this is now the place where they are sold.

"Before, it used to be very nice, more joyful the feast of Thursday of Comadres", remembers with nostalgia Victoria Mogro, one of the oldest "cumitas" of Tarija and part of "the traditional comadres of the San Roque neighborhood".

Although today the tradition is still very much alive, they say that there was a time when it declined, but the effort of the "cumas" Chapacas managed to bring it back to life.

The rescue of the party

According to the Tarija writer René Aguilera Fierro, in the 1980s the custom of compadres and comadres resurfaced with great interest. The tradition was reborn in Tarija, turning to the neighborhoods and streets, with great color, joy and simplicity.

For the historical character, Aguilera emphasizes that it should be mentioned that until 2002 it was celebrated and danced in the square "Luis de Fuentes" or Main Square. He says that there, in front of the kiosk, a precarious stage was set up, where the authorities and the qualifying jury were installed, the few groups of comadres arrived by General Trigo street.

According to the writer, the most enthusiastic were the comadres of El Molino and San Roque neighborhoods, in addition to other groups that were organized circumstantially, because the members did not have the vision of organization so they quickly dissolved.

The celebration began on the eve with the preparation of cakes, which were sold in markets and adjacent streets, thus began to grow the installation of stalls selling cane baskets, cakes, banderillas, mixtures, streamers, candy and fruit.

Until 1997, the entrance of the compadres was only at night, in the groups only the men danced, but since 1998, it took place in the morning and in the company of their partners, according to the story "this was a success".

Thus, from the year 2000, the party was held at the Compadres Field. While the party of the comadres, both during the day and at night, was a preview of the Carnival and after the main entrance was held in private homes or premises. Care was always taken to restrict the entrance of men.

According to Aguilera Fierro, the group of comadres from the El Molino neighborhood, who organized themselves during the 1983 carnival with the objective of celebrating with the family, should be highlighted as pioneers. They went out to the Uriondo square to express their joy, being this the first public manifestation of the Comadres Festival. In chronological order, the Comadres of the San Roque neighborhood followed, who organized themselves in 1986. 

The last year that the entrance of Comadres was held in the Plaza "Luis de Fuentes" was in 1999; the stage was changed for a more comfortable and spacious stage, which was located on the corner of General Trigo and 15 de Abril Streets. From the year 2001, the city council decided to hold the Entrada de Comadres in the Avenida "Victor Paz Estenssoro" and nowadays it is held in the Avenida Integración.

The Integration Avenue will gather the "Comadres".

The "Encuentro Tradicional de Comadres", an event organized by the Department of Tourism and Cultures of the Municipal Government of Cercado, will take place in the Integration Avenue.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, participation was limited to no more than 20 members per group.

In addition, those wishing to participate must present their vaccination card.

As of Wednesday, only five groups had registered, however, it is expected that more participants will register during the course of the day.

The event will start at 18.30. Attendees will be controlled to wear a mask and alcohol gel.

Tickets are on sale at the Tourist Office and at the Revenue Office, at El Molino market.