Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer
WHEN COLOMBIA'S navy vessel Cartegena de Indias docks in the Kingston Harbour on April 27, it comes with offerings of trade, and understanding. The vessel's arrival in Kingston is an exploratory mission from Colombia to pursue increased relations between Colombia and Jamaica.
The vessel will contain government officials and a cultural delegation. The cultural delegation comprises the band Los Hermanos McLean and a representative group to demonstrate the Carnaval de Barranquilla, Colombia's most famous carnival. There will be a free hour- long concert featuring both groups at Shortwood Teachers' College on the second day of the ship's visit, Thursday, April 28.
Los Hermanos McLean's, repertoire includes mento, reggae, calypso, bolero, quadrille, fox trot and Colombian popular songs. The band has existed for three generations.
The Barranquilla Carnival, which runs for the Lenten period culminates in four days of activities in the streets of Barranquilla, capital city of Atlantico Province. The carnival begins with the Flower Battle which began as a symbolic representation of peace and ends with the burial of Joselito.
Several dances make up the carnival, there is the warrior dance - Poleteo; Cumbia - the symbolic national dance; farotas - a satirical dance; the black dance - in which the dancers imitate the lyrics; mapale - supposedly originated from the chanting and dancing of fishermen; congo - the oldest dance of the Barranquilla carnival; grapple's dance - symbolic of the battle between good and evil or life and death; and finally Joselito's death.
Ambassador of Colombia, Kent Francis-James explained that the Cartegena de Indias was coming from San Andreas, one of three isles forming Colombia's archipelago. He also explained that San Andreas, and Old Providence (another of the isles) show the historical link between Jamaica and Colombia as the islands were visited by many Jamaicans, especially when both countries were under Spanish rule.
"We have many bridges to build and links to keep," said Ambassador Francis- James. He noted that a part of the exploratory mission was to understand how Colombia, which is currently attempting to increase travel to San Andreas, can learn from Jamaica's tourism industry.
Carlos Gonzalez, Colombia's Caribbean Trade Commissioner explained that there are representatives from 11 companies from Colombia's hospitality industry aboard the ship. Furthermore, they intend to have several meetings between the Colombian and Jamaican counterparts in the industry. The exploration will also scout the educational terrain with a meeting among the various tertiary institutions to be held at University of the West Indies.
The ship will dock at the Caribbean Cement Company's Coal Pier and is open to visitors Thursday and Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
