The comparisons become virtual in response to the traditional festivities on San Sebastián Street

Already the theatrical collective Water, Sun and Clear They give the last assets in their workshop in Santurce to the three new big heads who will be part of what will be their troupes in honor of the traditional ones. San Sebastian Street Festivities, which this time due pandemic They will not be able to be celebrated in a massive way, as usual.

However, from various venues in San Juan, the theater company – which has filled this holiday with art, music and color for more than two decades – will perform in what they have called “Virtual greeting for the festivities on San Sebastián Street 2021” to broadcast them live tomorrow and on January 30 and 31 through them Facebook and YouTube so that thousands of people can enjoy them.

Three great Puerto Rican culture managers will be honored with the creation of the musician’s big heads Héctor „Atabal” Rodríguez and the anthropologist and the historian Ramon Lopez, who died last year, as well as the artist, teacher, writer and political express, Elizam escobar, who died a week ago.

“With the new big heads, we want to recognize, on the one hand, Ramón López for his contributions as a philosopher, historian and deep connoisseur of the traditions of the Plena and the people of Puerto Rico. In the same way, we are honored to pay tribute to Héctor Rodríguez, the master of the drum and the Plenary, a great friend and son of the Trastalleres neighborhood, where our workshop is today, ”he said. Pedro Adorno, director and co-founder of Agua, Sol y Sereno.

On the other hand, the teacher and the sculptor, highlighted the long relationship with Elizam Escobar who began with the campaign for the release of political prisoners. “We were able to collaborate on various projects and we had the opportunity to present the song“ Umbral del Lienzo ”in Campechada from 2016. Both Ramón, Héctor and Elizam have always seen their Caribbean identity or theirs; the root of what is ours as a way to jump to the creative freedom of the contemporary artist, not as a limit, but as a place from which you expand, ”he said.

Stilt walkers, large heads and various plenums will be ordered by Héctor “Tito” Matos and the group La Maquina Insular, from different communities. On Saturday, January 23, at 15:30, there will be a tribute to Elizam Escobar, whose band will present various pieces by the late artist.

Also, on Saturday, January 30 at 17:00 in honor of Héctor Atabal Rodríguez, the band will leave another place in San Juan and will include the participation of the musician’s son, Caymmi Rodríguez and the Atabal group.

Finally, Sunday, January 31, at 15:00, will be the day when the band Agua, Sol and Sereno will pay tribute to Ramón López, which will be attended by some members of his family, as well as the participation of the singer and his great friend Emanuel Santana. Some tapestries created by the late anthropologist and artist will occupy the area where it takes place.

According to Adorno, that element of surprise and that the population does not know where their troupes will come from is as if you went back to the beginning of the group 25 years ago, when they appeared in different communities, neighborhoods and activities, and they did not enjoyed today the dissemination offered by social networks.

“It reminds me a lot of the beginning, I’m very excited. At the beginning you do things and you have to keep doing them to move that energy face to face, from eye to eye contact and to see people up close. Now that there has been so much distance that it has to be done outdoors at a distance necessary to avoid the contagion, we will do it close enough because the neighborhood or community we are in will feel us, it is outside, it is happening there. That doesn’t replace anything, but at the same time allows thousands of people who this year will stay with the desire to celebrate the festivities on San Sebastián Street, to participate and enjoy their homes “, a conchis el.