If you
enjoy all things Panamanian, head to the town of Guararé, in
Los Santos for the Mejorana Festival, which con-tinues in full swing
this weekend and ends on September 26.
Dr. Manuel F. Zárate, promoted the creation of
the festival in 1949. |
The festival,
which shows the strong Hispanic traditions of the central provinces,
is the result of the "homesickness" felt by Manuel F. Zárate,
a native of Guararé during his university years in Europe,
in the first half of the 20th century. Fond of the rich folklore heritage
of his region, he learned, by keeping correspon-dence with his friends,
about the foreign cultural influences imported to Panama after the
construction of the Canal, that were threatening to destroy the country's
native lore.
After
his return, he became, along with his new wife, Dora, the first "scientific"
specialist in Panamanian folklore. Local authorities heard his call
to preserve native traditions, and established the first Mejorana
Festival in 1949.
The festival
is a tribute to La Mejorana, a guitar-like folkore instrument, although
it also encompasses folk fiddle competitions and lots of dance performances
and games.
Located
in the south-central region of Panama, Guararé is a five-hour
drive from the capital. To get there, drivers in Panama City need
to cross the Bridge of the Americas and get on the Pan-American Highway.
A left turn at the town of Divisa (215 km. west of the capital), leads
straight to Guararé (an hour and-a-half. Most lodging facilities
are in the city of Chitré, province of Herrera.
