CAMAGÜEY.- The parade of the San Juan in Camagüey is a matchless show in Cuba, that attracts whole families to enjoy who overcome fatigue with rhythm and color after a long route through the center of this city.

Last night, in the first of the two planned parades of this year, approximately 1100 people walk more than two kilometers with their costumes and instruments to make them happy and to cause the body to dance through sounds and acrobatics.

The long line organized in four blocks left Avellaneda street on the corner of San José, about eight o’clock at night, and it ended past midnight with the development of the conga Los Comandos in the Caridad’s square.

It appears too much effort from many men and women, however, one look at their faces in any of the points where they pass, is a strong evidence of their love for being there, acting for the others.

The organizers have spoken of much austerity to ensure the celebration in general, because of the tense economical situation in the country, however the parade of the San Juan in Camagüey 2019 has been seen as worth it.

It is seen in the clothing of the members of the congas, the carriages and the parades, with a variety of colors and designs with a greater presence, even when the population is always aiming to a major gaudiness.

Invited from Caibarién with clothing from the famous parrandas from the country center, especially customized for the ones in Remedios, Caibarién, Camajuaní and Vueltas in Villa Clara contribute to the yearning for grandstanding on the street performances.

French Glamour is the title of the runway with the recreation of the clothing of the time of María Antonieta’s French monarchy with her imposition of fashion, a view promoted with the globally-recognized brand of the art director Orlando Antúnez.

Edel Martín, Richard Ermida y Yasmani López from Villa Clara conceived the costumes that weigh up to 15 pounds and looked extraordinary on the members of the fashion group D´Leiva who are from Camagüey, responsible for that fantasy getaway on the street of more than a kilometer long, from Agramonte park to Caridad’s square.

Traditional characters as covered with sheets and old monkeys to “scare” children are breaking through the wide parade that should be repeated on June 27th, and also it will come to the communities by small groups.

Dozens of skateboarders dressed in women clothes and youngsters riding motorbikes deploy their stunts, without forgetting the giant-wheeled bicycle or the exhibitions from the club of the so-called classic motorbikes.

The motorized carriages represent scenes from cabaret and carry their drama, with characters as Elegua who protects the path to the carriage from the Mindus, whose clothing refers to palms and Cuban flag, and grooves to the song Isla bella, by Orishas.

At the end of the route, in la Caridad’s square, there is a jury waiting to measure the details, from individual attitudes to collective projections, the precision of the choreography and passion in every step.

Most leaders of the popular groups are men, but a woman continues to break the norm, she is Cristina Ramírez, applauded when she walks by because at age 84 and on foot, she keeps running the conga Los Caribes.

Congas turn out to be real popular magnets, and due to the way of interaction, give hints from the hearts and passions of the neighborhoods, at least that is what about 70 members of the conga Los Retoños transmit.

You also see faces from the great stage, as professional musicians from the group Rumbatá in the comparsa Las Estrellas, and better understand the sincerity of their roots and the complete success of the genuine rumba.

Then it is worth the sleepy nights and mornings of May, when the drums stored at home for a year started to get warm, and the rehearsals made the city a booming sound and a joy of communicating sounds from the popular souls over the centuries.

This parade is not complete if you do not sweat, if you do not dance, which means to party on the corner or from the pavement where you are staring or dancing, because spontaneously the people from Camagüey go to the street whenever there is a parade, because they love and defend their San Juan.

Translated by Keila Novoa Ricardo