Think obsidian, and probably a black, sharp rock comes to mind, not much of a gemstone, with a name that sounds more scientific than a glamorous jewel. Blame the name on a Roman explorer, Obsidius, who wandered into Ethiopia and brought the Caesars back the dark natural glass. Blame the plain-Jane black in your mind on the fact that most […]
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“Three tectonic plates meet in Guatemala and the result is a wild and crazy adventure park with high and beautiful mountains, crater lakes and hundreds of volcanoes to form the spine of the country.” This is one of the best descriptions of Guatemala I have found was recently posted by Vanderbilt University archaeologist Arthur Demarest in “Five Things I Love […]
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They’re all over the country this season, their bright colors in markets, gardens, on tables and along roadsides. And they belong here, more than we do. Zinnias are native, a kind of sunflower, related to daisies, native through Central America and Mexico and up into the Southwestern United States. They’re officially zinnia americanas, according to the German master botanist Zinn, […]
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Mendel Samayoa, an avid free-wheeling motorcyclist, holds a degree in architecture from the Universidad de San Carlos, and his artistic passions embrace film, theater and painting. His cinema credits include “Donde Acaban los Caminos,” “Looking for Palladin” (shot in La Antigua Guatemala), “La Vaca,” and the award-winning short films “Sweet Dalila” and “La Paciente.” Samayoa has undertaken impressive theatrical productions […]
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My gaze fell upon a sparrow with tiny fledglings that at this moment were trying their wings under the patient guidance of the mother. A quiet, warm afternoon, I was sipping coffee in the small patio with multi-colored flowers in kaleidoscopic array under the radiant sun. My gaze fell upon a sparrow with tiny fledglings that at this moment were […]
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Amalia’s Kitchen. A Fun Way to entertain Guatemalan style. It sure is that time of year in the United States when family and friends gather to enjoy the warm weather months cooking outdoors. In Guatemala, thankfully, this happens all year long! In Guatemala, a cookout is called a churrasco, and like the English word barbecue, it can refer to either grilled […]
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How climate change impacts livelihoods in Guatemala. Guatemala is one of the most ecologically diverse nations on the planet, containing a vast abundance of natural resources. Many are unaware, though, how the areas in this region are being affected by threats from environmental degradation and climate change. Rural food producers who depend on natural resources face challenges. Meanwhile, Guatemala is […]
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The Good Reads review describes “Center of the World” as “New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Sheehan’s evocative and emotionally compelling novel, a mother and her adopted daughter each embark on a journey of self-discovery in the wake of a stunning revelation.” “Sheehan’s writing is lively and vivid and her feel for historical detail is fine.” — The New York […]
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Multinational Capitalism vs Traditional Cultures Preservation: Monoculture vs Biodiversity Preservation Guatemala offers foreigners and locals alike a steady stream of off-the-wall, perplexing and downright strange occurrences and situations. It’s one of the qualities of the country that has kept me coming back for three consecutive summers from Washington, D.C., and has lured thousands of extranjeros to relocate to the country […]
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The struggle continues over who can claim ownership of the colors, threads and shapes of indigenous weavings. “The women no longer knew how to weave,” recalled Angelina Aspuac, a 40-year-old community activist from Santiago, Sacatépequez. In the Mayan community, where the huipil and corte have been integral elements of culture, the observed loss of weaving became a call to arms. […]
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WINNERS BY POPULAR VOTE WINNERS BY EDITORIAL DECISION A special thanks to all the participating photographers — The numerous traditions of Guatemala are a sight to behold. The winners and a number of honorable mentions will be published in the August, 2017 issue of Revue. The next photo contest will be announced at the end of July. You can see all […]
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Every Guatemalan market is a treat for all five senses. No, that’s not right. Modern chain supermercados from Arkansas or Salvador are splendid for shoppers, but shrink-wrapped, boxed or processed foods in glass cases or on neatly organized shelves don’t give much smell, sight or taste, while the piped-in music and packaged goods miss sound and touch pleasures. The sensual […]
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I call vegetables the stars of my kitchen and aromatic herbs (and spices), superstars because they elevate a dish to a higher level, both in flavor, aroma and eye appeal. Imagine a caldo de res (beef soup) or a kaq ik (turkey soup from Coban) without aromatic herbs and vegetables. A typical caldo de res contains anywhere from 5-15 ingredients […]
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Guatemala and Cuba have ties that go back to the first arrivals of the Spanish to Guatemala in 1524. The conquerors used Cuba as a stepping stone to access Mexico and a greater part of the New World. Guatemala’s conqueror, Pedro de Alvarado, had been in Mexico with Cortes. After finding very little gold in Guatemala, an export economy was […]
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Indigenous women are fighting back to receive recognition of their textiles’ artistic value and a fair market share in the sales. A cloth huipil, open like a book, lay on Natalia and Flavio Otzin’s wooden table, sunshine bouncing off its bright red, purple and blue designs. Otzin swept her hand across the shapes as she explained each one, reading the […]
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Teachers have a particularly difficult job in Guatemala as few resources are allotted to public schools. In theory, education is free and compulsory through sixth grade. Books, busing and uniforms are not free and result in higher drop out levels. Today, about 4 million children are enrolled out of a total population of 15.8 million people. Education in colonial times […]
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Sololá Native, Fernando Pinzón, Creates Handcrafted Journals Made of Recycled Materials. It is a hot autumn day in Panajachel and the stores selling brightly colored Mayan-threaded blankets, bags, clothing and gifts are teeming with activity. However, as we walk to the boat dock, a sidewalk display of journals unlike we’ve ever seen catches our eye. We find out that each […]
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The healthier eating trend is stronger than ever in the United States. Native and African Americans and Hispanics are at the top of the risk group for Type 2 diabetes in America, according to the American Diabetes Association. This trend will have a ripple effect on neighboring countries in the coming years, as chronic diseases related to poor eating habits […]
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With Teacher’s Day celebrated in Guatemala on June 25, we recognize teachers’ hard work and the difficulties of education in Guatemala. Many visitors ask if public education is free in Guatemala. Well, “yes” — but school supplies, uniforms and transportation are not. Public schools have little funding as Guatemala has one of the lowest investment rates per child/per school day […]
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In 2016 the Ark of Compassion brought a group of talented high school musicians to San Andres, Guatemala to participate in its program “Empowerment Training in Guatemala.” During the ten-day trip, it donated instruments and the student teachers taught trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet and violin to local children. The result, the San Andres Semetabaj Youth Orchestra is now a reality. […]
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AFEDES is fighting through the Guatemalan constitutional courts to have Mayan cloth recognized as intellectual property of the Maya people and receive fair market compensation. For indigenous Maya women in Guatemala the clothes on their backs are sacred texts of their way of life. They tell a story of spirit and war, the heritage of an ancient people invaded by […]
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WINNERS BY POPULAR VOTE WINNERS BY EDITORIAL DECISION A special thanks to all the participating photographers — there are some future movers and shakers among these students! The winners and a number of honorable mentions will be published in the June, 2017 issue of Revue. You can see all of the submissions at fb.com/revuemagazine
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The Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena (Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Costumes) celebrates the Month of Museums. When you think of Guatemala, one of the first things that comes to mind is color—and what better represents its colors than the rich textile traditions of this country? Visitors often ask me: “Do you know where I can find those beautiful textiles I […]
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Nan Cuz – A Journey to the Uncharted Depths of a Soul A tribute exhibition honoring the work of Nan Cuz “Magic and Emotions” will be open through June 16. She sits alone now, in her garden, watching the birds come and go, listening to the gentle clacking of the giant bamboo, this tiny little woman. She looks up as […]
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Attention Sacatepéquez residents, “Please Recycle.” Now there is a small recycling center, five minutes from central La Antigua Guatemala, 100 yards past the bridge as you come into San Pedro las Huertas, on the left side of the street, just past the gated community San Pedro el Alto. Recicladora San Pedro de las Huertas is run by Familia López. They […]
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While my heart and soul and culinary core are deeply Guatemalan, my desire and curiosity to learn about the synergies of all Latin cultures is only natural — after all, we share so many traits. From north to south and east to west, Latin America is rich not only in culture, but in unique cuisines. Recently, I traveled to a […]
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Pastores is the go-to place in Guatemala for handmade boots. Visiting Pastores to look for boots, I met with Alicia López, director of an English-language program for local kids. López and her students also offer free tours of the town, which has dozens of shops turning out handmade boots and leather goods. López’s English students have uncovered an extraordinary nugget […]
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WINNERS BY POPULAR VOTE WINNERS BY EDITORIAL DECISION A special thanks to all the participating photographers — lots of pretty flowers to choose from! The winners and a number of honorable mentions will be published in the May, 2017 issue of Revue. You can see all of the submissions at fb.com/revuemagazine
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This year The Procession of Jesús Nazareno de la Dulce Mirada de Santa Ana will occur on Sunday, March 26. Despite thousands of visitors from around the world who descend upon La Antigua Guatemala for Lent or Cuaresma each year, I don’t think I will ever tire of its pageantry or elaborate celebrations. To be sure, the crowds during Semana Santa […]
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Winners by Popular Vote Winners by Editorial Decision Thank you to all the participating photographers — there were so many great images! The winners and a number of honorable mentions will be published in the April, 2017 issue of Revue. You can see all of the submissions at fb.com/revuemagazine
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