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Sometimes it seems that antigüeños only celebrate with parades and processions. I say this because almost every month you encounter a procession or a parade and on special occasions you find both. The celebrations of Santiago, Saint James, are a very good example.
Here’s another short video clip showing one of the marching bands of the parade for the Fiestas de Santiago. Enjoy!
As I was walking I could hear the sounds of a drum line. To my surprise it was an all girl school parading through the streets showing off their skills. Honestly they were good! Coming from a former drummer’s perspective I am picky about my drum lines. It was fun to watch and listen as they marched through the streets of Antigua Guatemala.
text and photo by Zach Olson.
If there were an unofficial anthem for Guatemala, that would be El Grito. Most Guatemalan grow hearing El Grito and even dancing the “son” in school events.
Here’s a question for the Guatemalans living abroad, when was the last time you heard El Grito and what kind thoughts crossed your mind?
Here’s yet another dose of Sobrevivencia… A Guatemalan Mayan rock band. This time Sobrevivencia performs a rock version of El Grito. Enjoy!
Oh please, please, can somebody explain to me where did these tacky dancing Disney figures come from and how they became such a rage during the Christmas season? I want to know, really.
What ever happened to the authentic Guatemalan traditional dances? to the Guatemalan authentic Christmas traditions?
¡Que alguien me lo explique!
These little pre-primary school girls looked so cute with their uniforms for Independence Day Celebrations. I had to get the camera all the way on the floor to be able to catch them as they stride to find the position of their school in front of the Cathedral, in Central Park.
I really like the movement and angle in this picture; what do you think, does it work for you?
Guatemala’s public educational system is divided as follows: Pre-Primaria (Pre-primary also known as párvulos and kindergarten), Primaria (Primary school 1st to 6th grade), Secundaria (Secundary school, 3 years known as 1st basic through 3rd basic or Básicos) and Diversificado (3 years corresponding to the last years of High School; also known as Preparataria in other parts of Latin America).
Okay, with that in mind, the schedule for Independence Day Celebrations begins with celebrations and parade for Pre-Primaria on the 13th of September; celebrations activities and parade on the 14th for Primaria and last but not least, on September 15th the full blown party, activities, parades and firecracker burning for Secundaria and Diversificado.
FREE EDUCATION ASIDE: Today it was made official that in Guatemala public education will FREE starting 2009 school year. Until now, parents had to pay for registration and other miscellaneous fees even though it was mandated by the Guatemalan Constitution that everyone had the right to free education. This mandate of the Constitution had been broken since 1968 when it was permitted to charge for student’s registration. Finally I see a sign of the Social Democrat government we voted into office. 
Rudy, Thank you so much for bringing Antigua to me everyday. As so many people, I love Antigua and wish I could live all year. Thank you so much for having stories in English and Spanish. I have been studying Spanish for years and the short stories in both languages are very helpful. Antigua Daily Photo is the first thing I look at everyday when I turn on my computer. Once again, thank you so much. —Michelle, Miami, FL, USA
