January 23, 2023, 4:00 AM
January 23, 2023, 4:00 AM
The big party of the people of Santa Cruz, once again in the eye of the storm. The tension is cut in the air and it is not for less. Just as its realization with date and time has been announced, the immediate resignation of several comparsas to participate and the decision that the sovereign of the event has made, offer a scenario where the debate is served.
Those who oppose it state that “there is nothing to celebrate” and affirm that Santa Cruz has been hit with the arrest and imprisonment of Governor Luis Fernando Camacho, and in a collateral way is added the feeling of mistreatment towards the region, the neglect of the Central government, among other motives and reasons.
Social humor is not for parties and that feeling is generalized as the days and things go by.
Just like the traditional female comparsas and others of historical weight, the queen of the big festival of Santa Cruz also ran out of desire to celebrate.
Through a letter and a recorded message, the young sovereign shared a feeling of sorrow for the situation that Santa Cruz is experiencing and that is shared by a good part of the carnival population. She does not feel vitality or energy to infect people.
Despite the confirmation of the performance on February 18, by the Asociación Cruceña de Comparsas Carnavaleras, dozens of comparsas turned their backs on it and decided not to participate. The ACCC stated that they will only accept floats and allegories with the theme ‘Let’s break chains’ and that the universal category will be eliminated; however, all that seems not to be enough.
By way of protest, they proposed appealing to creativity and demonstrating their disagreement with “the kidnapping of our governor,” they said.
On the occasion they clarified that the three days of wetting are not organized by them, but rather belong to the people, the comparsas, the fraternities and individuals.
Against this sorrowful current there is another that vindicates the Carnival, which despite the difficult moment that is lived, will not allow anyone to take away the joy, mischief and essence of being from Santa Cruz, because it is part of the culture, identity and tradition of this land.
For some intellectuals, historians and analysts, Carnival is an expected and important social fact, a popular mega-event that has relevant symbolism. “No one is going to steal our soul from Santa Cruz”, some say and claim the carnival festivities, assuring that it is time to say what needs to be said because Carnival is ours.
In this sea of discussions, reasons and feelings, arguments and new interpretations of a multiplicity of realities are formed that make this a turning point.
Being and belonging, identity and representation come together in a river of life that seeks to stand up. Today decisions have readings and also consequences.
Carnival is also an opportunity to make fun of the cruel reality, of the adverse attacks, of the social, political and economic vicissitudes that are experienced and also of ourselves. The citizen will freely decide to participate or not, erecting the Santa Cruz spirit that raises its hands and shakes its body. He will decide to go out or take refuge with friends, travel or rest, celebrate it his way, as he feels his warm and loving heart.
The moment is not easy, but it is another opportunity to tell old and new truths, because no one has the right to take away the momentum of a Santa Cruz that is more unstoppable every day.
