Oct. 1, 2007 — It was a melding of cultures as families speaking Spanish mixed with families speaking English Sunday at the Whim Museum Plantation, celebrating the shared history and friendship of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
“It’s special, to find a place where two different cultures hold on to their separate history yet respect each other and share St. Croix as their own,” said Orlando Gonzales, translator for Guateque Ballet Folklorico de Puerto Rico. “It’s very unique.”
The group performed Saturday night at Island Center for the Performing Arts and again at the Areyto at Whim Sunday.
“An Areyto is a Taino (Indian) word for a special party or celebration such as a harvest or a wedding,” explained Vera Falu, VI/PR committee chairwoman. “It’s a family affair.”
Orlando and 13 members of the dance group are on St. Croix as part of the VI/PR Friendship Celebration which is being observed this month. On Sunday the celebration converged on the Whim Museum for fun, food and cultural dance.
The group, made up of 35 men and women aged 16 – 50, hails from Corozal, Puerto Rico. Some members — 13 of them — made the trip to St. Croix.
About 300 people enjoyed the festivities, lounging in groups on lawn chairs and buying a little bit of this and that from the various food vendors. Several craft vendors sold jewelry and trinkets for the children. The Ten Sleepless Knights pounded out their special brand of quelbe music, causing listeners to break out in a two-step and twirl their partner in a circle.
The crowd surrounded the St. Croix Heritage Dancers as they performed the traditional maypole dance. The rainbow-colored ribbon plaited itself down the pole as the performers weaved in and out around the center.
Falu was please at the turn out as well as the enthusiasm of the crown and the dancers. “This is our shared roots,” Falu said. “We may look different but we all have Taino, Spanish and African ancestors.”
The VI/PR festivities continue Friday with the opening of the Friendship Village at 7 p.m. at the Agricultural Fair Grounds. The village will remain open until Monday evening.
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