About 1,200 people celebrated the National Day of Colombia last Sunday at the Tegoyo hostel, in Mácher. Organized by the Association "Acciones Unidas" and San Borondón, Colombians, Latin Americans in general, and Lanzarote residents gathered at this place to celebrate a party from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The festive event was not only "a great success in participation", but also brought together numerous people from many different places. In the hostel, they shared performances by musical groups, as well as customs, gastronomy, art, folklore and joy, "in a civic example of social integration and multiculturalism", according to the organizers.
From the Association "Acciones Unidas", which integrates residents in Lanzarote mostly of Latin American origin, they explain that July 20, 1810 was established as the day of the Independence of Colombia. "From that moment on, every year Colombians celebrate the day we are called the Republic of Colombia. That is why that day, Acciones Unidas and San Borondón Asambleario, wanted to celebrate this representative date in a multicultural environment where we could show the Lanzarote society a little of our culture, gastronomy and human warmth", they indicated.
"We wanted to take advantage of this meeting to send a message of unity and that is why artistic and gastronomic representations of other cultures that also reside on the island were with us accompanying us", they pointed out from the organization.
"Commitment to an intercultural society"
"Acciones Unidas" wants to show in practice "its commitment to an intercultural society" and promote "total integration between foreign residents in Spain and Spanish society and also exchange knowledge, support, aid to contribute to the promotion of the development of the human being based on tolerance, empathy, solidarity values so necessary today". At the celebration, you could enjoy typical Colombian food.
The cultural events included performances by the Anmy Rodríguez Dance School; Samira Riff Arab Folklore School; Nailyth Animations; Emerging Generation Association; music group "Driven"; Duo Zeima; European dance champions Karen and Aaron and a contest for the best typical Colombian costume for children and adults.
In addition, there were prizes for the children, with tickets for the family to the Rancho Texas Park and Guinate Park, and also for the adults, which consisted of a weekend at the Diamar Hotel, in Arrecife. There were also numerous leisure and fun activities aimed at the youngest children such as crafts, inflatables and games. The Colombian writer Néstor Osorio was present at the party, as well as Ana Ruth Morales, Freddy Anaya and Daniel Vera, from Melodía Stereo.
The Association also wanted to thank the collaboration of each of the people, companies, volunteers and institutions and especially the first deputy mayor of the municipality, Jerónimo Robayna, for supporting this type of initiatives.