Comparsas go virtual to greet the traditional Festivities of Carrer Sant Sebastià

Already the theatrical collective Water, Sun and Serene they are giving the finishing touches to their workshop in Santurce to the three new bigheads who will be part of what will be their troupes in honor of the traditional Festivities on Carrer Sant Sebastià, Which this time because of the pandemic they will not be able to be celebrated in a crowded way as usual.

However, from different spaces in Sant Joan, the theater company -which has filled this celebration with art, music and color for more than two decades- will carry out its troupes in what they have called “Virtual greeting at the 2021 San Sebastián Street Festival” to broadcast them live tomorrow, and on January 30 and 31 through their accounts Facebook i YouTube so that thousands of people can enjoy them.

Three great managers of Puerto Rican culture will be honored, with the creation of the music’s big heads Héctor “Atabal” Rodríguez and of the anthropologist and historian Ramón López, who died last year, as well as the artist, teacher, writer and political express, Elizam Escobar, Who died a week ago.

“With the new bigheads we want to recognize, on the one hand, Ramón López for his contributions as a philosopher, historian and deep connoisseur of the full and popular traditions of Puerto Rico. In the same way, we are honored to pay tribute to Héctor Rodríguez, master of the drum and the full, great friend and son of Trastalleres neighborhood, where our workshop is today “, he indicated Pere Adorno, director and co-founder of Aigua, Sol i Sereno.

On the other hand, the also professor and sculptor, highlighted the long relationship with Elizam Escobar that began from the campaign for the release of political prisoners. “We were able to collaborate on different projects and had the opportunity to present our piece ‘Llindar de l’Llenç’ at the Campechada in 2016. Both Ramon and Héctor and Elizam always saw the Caribbean or their own identity; the root of what is ours as a way to jump into the creative freedom of the contemporary artist, not as a limit, but as a place from where you expand, ”he stated.

Stilt walkers, bigheads and several plenipotentiaries will be captained by Héctor “Tito” Matos and the group La Màquina Insular, From different communities. Saturday, January 23 at 3:30 pm will be the tribute to Elizam Escobar, the troupe will feature several pieces by the finite artist.

Also, on Saturday, January 30 at 5:00 pm in tribute to Héctor Atabal Rodríguez, the troupe will leave another place in San Juan and will include the participation of the musician’s son, Caymmi Rodríguez and the Atabal group.

Finally, Sunday, January 31 at 3:00 pm will be the day when the Aigua, Sol and Sereno troupe will pay tribute to Ramon López, who will be attended by some members of his family, as well. as with the participation of the singer and his great friend, Emanuel Santana. Some tapestries created by the finite anthropologist and artist will occupy the area from where it takes place.

According to Adorno, this element of surprise and that the population does not know where their troupes will come from is like going back to the beginning of the group 25 years ago, when they performed in various communities, neighborhoods and activities, and did not enjoy the dissemination provided by social media today.

“It reminds me a lot of the beginning, it makes me very excited. At the beginning you do things and you have to keep doing them to move that more face-to-face, eye-to-eye contact energy and see people up close. Now that there’s there has been so much distance, that you have to do it outdoors at a distance necessary to avoid contagion, we will do it close enough because this neighborhood or community where we are felt, it is outside, it is happening there. nothing replaces it, but at the same time allows thousands of people who will be left with the desire to celebrate the Sant Sebastià Street Festival this year to participate and enjoy from home “, He concluded.