Taiwanese diplomats observe the exhibit’s photographs.

Visitors are invited to the exhibit "La Encantadora Taiwan" ("The Enchanting Taiwan"), a collection of 40 photographs showing the culture and natural wealth of this Asian island. The exhibit opens Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m at the National Institute of Culture's art gallery, located on the French Plaza, in San Felipe. The exhibit is part of INAC's summer season in Panama City.

Panama’s delegation at FITUR 2007

Headed by the Panama Tourist Board (IPAT), a group of private-sector members of Panama’s tourism industry participated in FITUR 2007, one of the world’s largest international tourism fair in Madrid, Spain. The picture shows part of the Panamanian delegation in folklore costumes.

The participation of Panamanian companies in major international trade fairs is an excellent promotional tool that is starting to yield results. Since 2005, the country has been receiving over a million visitors per annum.

A romantic night with Christian Castro

Mexican singer and actor, Christian Castro

A romantic evening awaits the fans of Mexican singer Christian Castro, who will offer a Valentine's Day concert at Atlapa Convention Center at 8:00 p.m.

A pop and ballad singer, Castro is the son of famous Mexican actress Verónica Castro. Raised in a family of entertainers, Castro appeared on the stage at a very early age, acting with his mother in famous telenovelas (soap operas) as a child.

He began his singing career in 1992 with the release of "Agua Nueva," which received mixed reviews. Castro began his "internationalization" a year later, starting with concerts in Puerto Rico. Castro dedicated a song to that country in his second album. More recently, in 2001, he released "Azul", which won a Grammy award for "Best Latin Pop Album of the Year". Castro is also expected to release a Ranchera album later this year –the first time he has recorded music in a genre other than pop.

Tickets for sale at all Blockbuster video rental stores. For more information, call: 526-7000.

A girl dressed in "Congo" folklore costume. Congo is an Afro-Caribbean cultural expression of the province of Colón. Photo: Andrés Villa.

Visitors interested in Caribbean culture are welcome to the Afro-Antillean Fair, a traditional "side dish" event of Panama's Carnival season, taking place Feb. 17-18 at the Afro-Caribbean Museum (Calle 24 Este, Avenida Justo Arosemena)

Folklore dances and modern Caribbean choreography will be highlights of the event, which will also include musical performances, food stands and door prizes.

Admittance is $3.00 (adults) and $1.00 (children). The museum is within walking distance from Plaza Cinco de Mayo (It's best to take a taxi to and from the area). For more information, call tel.: 262-1668/5348, or visit the page www.samaap.or

The Old Panama Visitors' Center will host a series of outdoor concerts featuring some of the best concert bands of the metropolitan area. Performances will take place on February 4, February 25, and March 4 and 18 from 5:30 p.m to 7:00 p.m.

The list of participating bands includes the Moisés Castillo High School Band, the Panama Fire Department Band and the Band of the National Police Department.

The Visitors' Center is adjacent to the ruins of Old Panama –the remnants of the first European settlement of the Pacific coast of the New World. It was sacked by Henry Morgan in 1671. One of Panama's most recognizable landmarks, the ruins were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (along with the city's San Felipe district) in 1997 and has gone through a series of restoration works in recent years. During the dry season (January-April) the site is a popular venue for outdoor concerts, folklore performances and weddings.

"Congo and Devil Festival":
March 3

A dancing devil in Portobelo. Photo: Yolande Vicente.

The town of Portobelo, on the Caribbean coast, will host its annual "Devil and Congo Festival" on March 3. Held since 1999, the festival is a tribute to two deeply-rooted cultural traditions of the Costa Arriba region.

"Congo culture" is an African-accented subgenre of Panamanian folklore, in which dancers recreate the mockery of their enslaved ancestors against Spanish colonial rule. Devils –an element introduced by Roman Catholicism-- participate in colorful choreographies along with the Congo queen, king and their "pajaritos" (children).

Congo culture is strong in the entire Costa Arriba (Upper Coast) region of the province of Colón, with Portobelo being the strongest bastion of the tradition.

Located 100 km northeast of Panama City, Portobelo is a sleepy coastal community that was once the center of commerce in the Western Hemisphere during the colonial period. It has a number of old forts and castles which once protected it from the attack of pirates. Its deep harbor is one of Panama's best diving destinations.

More information on the fair in our coming issues.

The "Dule Revolution"

Kuna Indians to celebrate holiday with plays, dance and food

For the story of the Dule Revolution, see the Special Articles section.

A Kuna Indian woman.

For the adventurous or students of indigenous culture, a visit could be made to the comarca (reservation) of San Blas, home of the Kuna Indian tribe mid February to witness the annual celebration of the "Revolución Dule", an uprising in 1925 of the Kuna against Panamanian colonists and authority.

Although celebrations are held on several islands, the most complete is at the community of Playon Chico (Ukupseni) where they re-enact the events of 1925 with participation of the entire community.

The program starts on Feb. 17 or 18 (a certain flexibility as to dates and times is a Kuna attribute) with a representation of the instalation of the "colonial police". Oddly a carnival is held as well with the election of a queen and drinking of "chicha fuerte", a fermented corn liquor used for all celebrations.

On Feb. 21 the actual revolution is enacted and on Feb. 23 they celebrate the "coming of age" of young girls with a ceremony of cutting their long hair as a symbol of the change to womanhood.

This is accompanied by dancing and "mystic and symbolic" acts to re-affirm the Kuna culture.

The Kuna proclaimed the constitution of the short-lived "Republic of Dule" in 1925.

The Visitor has been assured by Beatriz García of the fundacion Dobbo Yala and the Yandup Island Lodge (yandup@cableonda.net) that non-Kunas are permitted to view the celebrations.

The only way to get to Playon Chico or any other San Blas Island is to fly (35 minutes). The airlines, which operate from Marcos A. Gelabert Airport at Albrook, Panama City, are Aeroperlas Regional (315-7500), Air Panama (316-9000), Aviatur (315-031), Transpasa (236-0842), or ANSA (226-7891).

Packages are available from some tour agencies. Pesantez Tours (223-5374) is one. The are small hotels on Playon Chico and nearby islands. Day trips are not feasible since the airlines fly only in the mornings.

WWE Raw and Wrestle Mania invade Panama

A total of 18 "gladiators" will thrill wrestling fanatics March 9, when the mega company of professional wrestling, WWE Raw presents the show "Wrestle Mania", at the Figali Convetion Center, on the Causeway of Amador.

The fighters are: John Cena, Umaga, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Randy Orton, Kenny Dykstra, Jeff Hardy, Nitro, Carlito, Melina, Mickie James, Maria, Chris Masters, Cryme Tyme, World’s Greatest Tag Team, Val Venis, Vladimir Kozlov and Super Crazy.

Tickets prices are: $150, $100, $75, $50, $25 for sale at Video Avenue, Ticket Plus. Reservations: 507-279-0333 or 507-279-0332.

Singles of all nationalities (never-married, divorced, widows or widowers) ages 40 and older are invited to a Singles’ Dinner & Party on Saturday, February 17 at Restaurante Siete Mares, located on Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro (Tumba Muerto). The event is organized by Familiclub, a Panamanian club that fosters recreational activities for adults and senior citizens.

Participants in the party need to be financially-stable professionals or retirees willing to engage in friendships that could lead to long-lasting relationships with the opposite sex.

For more information, call Yadira Roquebert: 260-7529, e-mail: yroquebert05@hotmail.com