The San Pedro Town Council and the San Pedro House of Culture organized a weeklong celebratory event that lead to the celebration of Dia de San Pedro (San Pedro Day) on Saturday, June 29, 2013. The activities paid homage to our patron saint and highlighted the rich history and culture of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
The events kicked off with a lecture by Director of the Institute of Archeology, Professor Dr. Jaime Awe, on Monday, June 24, about the Caste War and its cultural influence in Ambergris Caye. Attendants learned a rich cultural part of history about the island and how it was an integral part of the Maya history and the shaping of traditions on island residents.
Lecture by Director of the Institute of Archeology, Professor Dr. Jaime Awe
Mrs. Tomasita Gomez and Mr. Francisco Arceo, senior citizens of San Pedro, lent their time to record a video diary where they shared their knowledge of the history of San Pedro and their personal experiences while growing up on the island. This enlightening video was aired on Reef TV throughout the week.
The activities continued on to Tuesday, June 25, as painters from southern Mexico and Belize set up an art exhibit for the next three days that showcased painting and images of the regional history of Bacalar and San Pedro. During the art exhibit the painters all participated in creating a pictorial mural of the history of San Pedro Town that was lead by Professor Giovanni Avashador, the Director of the Tulum, Mexico House of Culture. The mural is a gift for the people of San Pedro, but it will be displayed at events in the southern parts of Mexico during special functions.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013 was dedicated to Mestizo awareness day at Central Park; a fun and festive jamboree featuring interactive booths, cultural displays and traditional food sale. Plus there was a Historical Expose of old San Pedro on Thursday, June 27, where representatives of the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) were also on the island displaying historical artifacts from the island and Belize.
Friday evening, June 28, was reserved for the official opening ceremony for Dia de San Pedro. La Alborada: Greeting of the Dawn festivities were held in front of the St. Peter statue. This was an evening of cultural entertainment as marimba and mariachi musicians/singers and folkloric dance groups from across the Belize and guests from Mexico came together to pay homage to the patron saint. At the Alborada the mural painting of the history of San Pedro was unveiled for the public to admire; an amazing fireworks display lit up the night as midnight struck, the traditional fisherman’s mass at 4:30a.m and boat procession at 6a.m. were held as usual.
Dia de San Pedro, was celebrated with a big block party at Central Park on Saturday, June 29, with live music, dance presentations, and DJ music and plenty of food and a Beach Party the following day with fun games on the beach and a sailing regatta lead by the San Pedro Sailing Club. It was a fun-filled week with plenty of rich culture, history and entertainment in celebration of our patron saint and town!
