June 25 2023
Panama has people from many nations who celebrate their national origins. Today it is the Italians’ day to show off their culture and foods.
The event was held at the Instituto Italiano Enrico Fermi school, a school uniting two cultures and teacheing three languages (Spanish, Italian and English).
There was something for almost everyone. Italian music played through the loud speakers. Pretty girls wearing white blouses, red skirts and black shoes danced to traditional music periodically through the afternoon and evening. Different dances and music each time.
Two cute dogs wore matching blue shirts with “Roma” in big letters across their backs and below the Italian colors, a white banner that proclaimed “Italia.” they were very interested in bits of pizza dropped on the floor.
Some young men wearing protective gear, put on a fencing demonstration. Both had great reflexes as they thrust and parried with their epees. Later they had a sword fight and in their third performance they re-enacted a sword fight, shields on their left arms and swords in their right hands. Fun to watch and it didn’t seem to matter who won.
Around the room there were vendors of sweets, pizzas, lasagnas, and other foods. An Italian designer had clothing and other brightly colored crafts displayed ready for sale. The jewelry and other crafts were also tempting.
Bottled water you got from a vending machine but a mixologist was there if you wanted to drink something stronger. That shaker got a workout.
The place was packed. We could tell that even before going in as we had to park two blocks away then walk. Free entrance but they put a wrist band on everyone, maybe to keep an attendance count.
Many people lined up to buy raffle tickets. The top prize was a very nice black adult bicycle plus there were other prizes. No one called me yet so I guess I didn’t win anything. Oh well, it was a lot of fun. I liked the music and the pizza was delicious.
