Guatemala English language Magazine
Welcome to our anniversary issue. We are so thankful for the incredible support the REVUE has received for the past seventeen years—from readers, advertisers and the community in general. Six of our current sponsors have been with us from Day One, when the magazine consisted of 10 black and white pages, and we would like to especially thank them: Doña […]
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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 clown routine; another group makes […]
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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 and occasional gasps to its […]
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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 couple of years, Wells of […]
Read moreby 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 in Guatemala cultivates orchids in […]
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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 November 2002, Violeta moved to […]
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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.
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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 the singers belong to choirs […]
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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 is sold fresh, frozen, canned […]
Read moreIn 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 is regularly used for soluble […]
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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 events look to be extremely […]
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There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs. —Ansel Adams
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Welcome to our 6th Annual Photo Issue. We couldn’t be more pleased with this year’s crop of incredible photographs garnered from an immense wealth of talented shutterbugs, both locals and visitors. From professional photographers to weekend camera buffs, we had a difficult time picking the 80 images we were able to fit in our first edition of the new year. […]
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Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala partners with Mayan villages in the remote northwest corner of the country, where there are virtually no public services, secondary schools or other aid organizations providing consistent support. At the urging of village leaders, AAV focuses primarily on orphans and the children of widows who have few resources to support their families. Mission: To empower the Mayan […]
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“Standing Stones” site yields unprecedented sculpture Archaeologists recently discovered ancient altars, monuments and an unprecedented stone sculpture at a 2.5-square-mile Mayan ruin near Retalhuleu in southwestern Guatemala. Representing both Olmec and Maya cultures, the Tak’alik Ab’aj (Standing Stones) site was inhabited for nearly 1,700 years, starting roughly in 1000 BC, and was a key trading center with ancient merchants traveling […]
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With stunning aerials by internationally acclaimed photographer Ange Bourda, a new book featuring unique views of Central American sights, including volcanoes, beaches and rainforests, will debut in Guatemala in January 2009. Titled ISTMO (Isthmus), the colorful hardcover book contains 160 remarkable photos by Bourda, a widely published French photographer who considers Guatemala his adoptive home. In his own words, the […]
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While Santa Claus and Christmas trees may be symbols of the Christmas season, nacimientos (nativity scenes) are a Christmas custom the world over. Saint Francis of Assisi built the first one in 1223 after returning from a trip to Bethlehem. It quickly became a tradition and spread throughout the Catholic world, which included Spain. The Spanish brought the custom to […]
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Written by Dieter Lehnhoff, Ph.D. From the Renaissance to the late Baroque era (1534-1773) Santiago de Guatemala—present-day La Antigua Guatemala—was proud of its intense music life, rivaled only by Lima, Mexico City, and probably Bogotá. Beginning in 1524, early clergy had introduced Gregorian chant and choral polyphony for the different liturgical celebrations of the year, held in the first parish […]
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For two decades the exotic carambola only appeared in the U.S. as a component of holiday fruit baskets. These days you’ll find them in all the better Stateside grocery stores. Also known as star fruit because of its shape when sliced crosswise, this oddity once grew only in Sri Lanka and the Moluccas. Perhaps a millennium ago it was transplanted […]
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‘‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa, Not a creature was stirring ¡Caramba! ¿Qué pasa? Los niños were tucked away in their camas, Some in long underwear, some in pijamas, While hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado, In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado, To bring all children, both buenos and malos, A nice batch of dulces and other regalos. […]
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Written by by John Barrie How the Antigua Network helps connect organizations productively through presentations and one-on-one contacts Another successful meeting of the Antigua Network was held recently in the spacious surroundings of La Peña del Sol Latino in downtown La Antigua Guatemala. The Network is the brainchild of Judy Sadlier and Gene Budinger, two active U.S. retirees who came […]
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Written by Amanda Flayer Cojolya Association celebrates 25 years supporting women weavers in Santiago Atitlán Santiago Atitlán, a bustling indigenous village in the Guatemalan Highlands, has been celebrated by locals and tourists alike for its preservation of backstrap-loom weaving and the traditions surrounding it. An ancient art, backstrap loom weaving is recorded in the artifacts of the Maya. The Goddess […]
Read moreJennyStar DVD Rentals presents the top 10 Christmas Rentals for December* The Family Stone Love Actually Home Alone The Polar Express Home Alone 2: Lost in NY Under the Tuscan Sun Harold and Maude Elf The Santa Clause 2 Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas * according to jennystardvd.com
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The second-most popular sport in the world, cricket was seen by some for many decades as a sport played mainly by the British and their former colonies. In this part of the world it’s been best known as “the sport that is a bit like baseball,” but that’s changing. Cricket’s new stronghold is Asia, and its latest form is being […]
Read moreFor two days 16 baristas demonstrated their skills and quality of their espresso-based beverages before an audience of 175 people and a select group of international and national judges. Participants had to prepare 12 drinks in 15 minutes—four espresso, four cappuccino and four signature drinks—and were evaluated by seven judges. Flor de Maria Góchez, from Viva Espresso, won first place […]
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Our thanks to Rudy Girón, Revue’s own art director and graphic designer, for adding so much holiday cheer on the cover and inside this month’s edition with his photographs. We are introducing a new series: People and Projects, and for December we’d like to tell you about Adopt-a-Village in Guatemala, NGO Networking and the Cojolya Association. The Mystery at Tak’alik […]
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Written by Malia Dewse photos: Nate Gerodias and Malia Dewse The Emergency Dental Project is in its fourth year and going strong The impact of small voluntary projects, driven by one or two people with a passion for what they are doing, cannot be underestimated. One such project has provided free written dental examinations, fluoride treatment and emergency extractions to […]
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Celebrating La Fonda de la Calle Real’s 33rd anniversary with the 7th annual race event — Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. In Spain, during the Festival of San Fermín, stampeding bulls and would-be matadors run wild in the streets of Pamplona, and in Buñol, the Festival La Tomatina is a tomato throwing free-for-all. In La Antigua Guatemala, the Carrera de […]
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Written by Ira Lewis Local craftsmen recruited to build a classic wooden catboat I’ve sailed all my life, and for years I’ve wanted to build a boat. I have the time. OK, so do it. But I’m not a good carpenter, and I don’t have proper tools. I live in La Antigua, where there are no professional boat builders. So […]
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The “Garífuna Settlement Day” celebration will travel from Belize to La Antigua Guatemala for a performance at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Santa Isabel (Carretera a San Bartolomé Becerra) This celebration marks the arrival of the first Garífuna to Belize in 1832 and is celebrated throughout Belize and Central America. Produced by Planeta en Ritmo, the event will pay […]
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