Ecuadorian Painter Gilberto Almeida
Gilberto Almeida Egas is a distinguished Ecuadorian artist (1924- ) who has exhibited internationally and whose works are present in collections in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Israel. His work spans over 40 years garnering wide acclaim, special invitations, awards and honors from as far away as Australia. He is the recipient of many recognitions including the Order of Merit Award by President Gustavo Noboa Bejarano, and the Doctor Vicente Rocafuerte Award by the national Congress of Ecuador and conferred by President Guillermo Landazuri...
Read MoreArtists Diego Buitron and Gilberto Almeida
If you love art and spending time with those who create it; the northern Andean region of Ecuador has much to offer in terms of talented artists, fine craftsmen and craftswomen and their works. More information will appear in other posts, but I decideded to kick off this series of posts by sharing a bit about two artists that completely ‘made my day’ during our tour visit to each of their homes. I was recently privileged to conduct a tour to the village of San Antonio de Ibarra. The tour would not have been possible without the help of Diego Buitron, a generous man who is a...
Read MoreGotta Love the Parades
What I love About Parades in Cotacachi are they are both celebratory and transformative, the sights, the sounds, the colors, and the humor always impress me in a positive way. You just can’t feel down whenever a parade comes around. They are usually preceded by banners and musicians and then it’s anybody’s guess what delights you will experience shortly. The most recent big parade a few days after Easter lasted about an hour and a half. There were beauty queens, traditional dancers, Disney characters, cave men and women, small children dressed in animal costumes, Smurfs,...
Read MoreBlessings During Holy Week in Ecuador
Holy Week in Cotacachi is an excellent opportunity to experience how Ecuadorians celebrate the week leading up to Easter. It is a time of processions, prayers, music, re-enactments of the persecution and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and a time of deep reflection as well. On “Domingo de Ramos”, Palm Sunday, people gather on the steps of the cathedral with bundles of greenery. Originally palm leaves were used, however in recent years there has been a concerted and successful effort to discourage the use of palms because in the highlands of Ecuador palms are endangered, even...
Read MoreSemana Santa (Holy Week)
In South America people come together when they want to celebrate and honor the important things in life. Parades and processions are a part of the fabric of society that holds everyone together. Traditions which have been kept for generations are still followed today and are valued much. Unlike North Americas who tend to hold individuality, material possessions and obsession with things and appearances above all else. It is a refreshing contrast to be able to experience the unity and harmony among people who place that which is greater than themselves above all. People in Ecuador are...
Read More
Recent Comments