Archive for February, 2009
Guatemala’s Unique Chachales
A second word is chachal, Quiché for necklace. The evolution of chachales in Guatemala is a fascinating tale of history, economics and anthropology. At the time of the Conquest, Guatemala’s indigenous prized red coral as component in necklaces. As easily recoverable near-shore coral became scarce, sharp traders, chiefly in Europe, manufactured substitutes and introduced them into Guatemala as trade goods. These were almost but not always red, apparently to satisfy taste here and elsewhere.
La Cambalacha Youth Art Initiative
Text and photos by Jennifer Block Restoring creative expression through direct action, Gabriela Cordón aims to transform Guatemala’s educational system via her youth arts initiative. You’d be forgiven for thinking La Cambalacha is just another summer camp for kids. The place spills forth with color and laughter. On stage, a group of children practice a [...]
Supportive Circus Troupe
Text and photos by Brooks Vanderbrush Throughout the ages, the circus has provided a happy escape for millions of people of all ages and walks of life. Whether a traditional three-ring show under the big top or a small, specialized act featuring a few extremely talented performers, the circus always manages to bring hushed awes, smiles [...]
Wells of Hope
Wells of Hope is a non-denominational group founded on Christian principles by Ted Vander Zalm and his wife Miriam in 2004. It is a team of numerous individuals with roots in the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada. Wells of Hope is a program or offshoot of The Warehouse of Hope. After working from tents for a [...]
Orchids: The colors of my land
by Bernd Martin Colors enhance our emotions and often warm our hearts with their beauty. Coming in an array of wonderful colors, orchids embrace the whole spectrum of the rainbow. An orchid is a special gift to ourselves and to others. Guatemala, the land of eternal spring, has approximately 1,000 species of orchids. Nearly everybody [...]
The Eyes of Violeta
Inauguration Wednesday, 4th-7:30pm; featuring paintings on silk by Violeta Marroquín at the Antigua Center, 7a calle poniente #11, La Antigua Guatemala Violeta Marroquín, born in 1976 in Guatemala City, started painting at an early age. As a child she was educated in the arts, but at the university level she chose to study communications. In [...]
Festival Atitlán
March is coming, time for Festival Atitlán. On March 14, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Santiago Atitlán will once again host this annual alternative cultural event featuring live music and arts. Since 2001, there have been six festivals, each one more interesting than the last. Proceeds from the past four festivals have been donated to help rebuild Hospitalito Atitlán, which was destroyed by mudslides from Hurricane Stan in 2005.
Cantores Finlandeses Performs For Guatemala
Cantores Finlandeses is a mixed-voice choir of 22 singers under the leadership of conductor Sören Hakola and accompanied by Martin Segerstråle on the piano. Specially put together for the trip to Guatemala, the choir represents the amateur music life of Finland’s Swedish-speaking population and belongs to the country’s largest Swedish-language association for amateur music. All [...]
This is no Caribbean Island
That which we call La Antigua Guatemala by any other name would enchant us just the same This is a BIG controversy—this is a petty controversy. For reasons unknown, many people within the English-speaking community do not use the official name La Antigua Guatemala. Maybe it’s because the formal name is too long, or the [...]
Another Fabulous Fruit: Lichi
Also known as the lichee or litchi, this spiny red fruit originated in China, where it has been grown for three and a half millennia. Amazingly, scientists have found specimens of the sturdy lichi tree that are more than 1,200 years old. In the last 20 years the fruit has caught on beyond Asia, and [...]
¿Cuántos Besitos?
You may be surprised at the dilemma in which I and, I suppose, other males find themselves from time to time. I refer in particular to the different cultural patterns that determine how many kisses a lady should be given on meeting and departure.
Falling in Love
One of the great mysteries in life is the exhilaration that comes from falling in love. Every cell in the body vibrates with new love. The heart bursts with energy, the mind swells with dreams and the physical senses become heightened. No wonder we’re seduced by the magic of falling in love! Try something different. [...]
Planting with Love
Nineteen new tree and flower gardens were planted in 2008 along the Alameda Santa Lucía in La Antigua Guatemala, among them memorials for Bill and Liz Paddock, Bobbi and Hank Duflon, Mary Sue Morris, and Edie Kovick, mother of REVUE editor and co-publisher Terry Kovick Biskovich. Recently a Guatemalan couple from Silver Spring, MD donated [...]
Valentine Chocolates and Exotic Soups
Forrest Gump’s life may have been a box of chocolates. My box has included snails—and worse. On February 12, 1993, I returned to Guatemala after three months Stateside, for what Latin Americans call el pedido, “the asking.” The thing I was going to ask for was the hand of my fiancee, Mely González, from her [...]
Discouraging “Counter Surfing”
How can I keep my cat off of the kitchen counter? Cats enjoy “counter surfing” for many reasons. First of all, they are looking for food scraps; second, they have a good view of the room; and third, they are at a perfect height to relate to their owners. Counters should be kept very [...]
The Raw Coffee Quality Pyramid
In the coffee world, there’s a quality pyramid that illustrates the many types and qualities of this popular beverage. The broad base of the pyramid rests on the two main commercial species: arabica and robusta. Arabica is the one that popularized coffee consumption throughout the world, and all fine coffees belong to this species. Robusta [...]
Sensuous Guatemala: Red
Just a little dab of red will do you, if you’re trying to put the colors of Guatemala on canvas. You’d need lots of variations of blues, greens, and browns to capture the subtle shades of this country’s glorious Highlands, jungles and coastlines. Your pallet needs only a bit of red. But don’t forget the red, as it’s essential. Red can [...]
February 2009 in Revue Magazine
There is plenty to do this month in Guatemala and we have the calendars, schedules, articles and information to help you through it. Our cover photo is an indicator that cultural events are a big factor in February. Every other year the Festival Internacional de Cultura Paiz takes place in La Antigua and this year’s [...]
