SOMOS CULTURA VIVA
The group we are receiving comes from the capital Quito. It was created on 10 November 2003 and since then it has represented Ecuador on all continents. The folk ensemble “Somos cultura viva” is composed of both ethnic groups, as the country whose cultural wealth it testifies but with a predominance of métis, which allows it to present a complete and eclectic program, and bring together music and dance from all over the country in a very successful artistic ensemble. This land, which stretches from the Pacific coast to the deep Amazonian “jungle”, remains one of the sanctuaries of the Inca culture. It would be useless, however, to mourn the death of the Inca, the collapse of an empire, and the terrible conditions that were sometimes those of the Spanish conquest. In return, Spain has left many beautiful cities and the beginning of an economic activity still important.
The folk ensemble «Somos cultura viva» is deliberately attached to this aspect of things. His concern is to collect as much information, music and dance as possible in a land that was one of the most active civilizations on the American continent and the world. He accumulates with passion the elements of a true Ecuadorian identity. Made up of many students passionate about the process and representatives of all professions, the troupe wanted to build a synthesis of the cultural wealth of its country.
Her repertoire ranges from the black-populated coast to the Inca centre and even the forest that we have said is a great attraction for ethnologists. From each region, she has reconstructed the costumes. The orchestra accompanying his performance is made up of very high quality professionals who can play primitive or contemporary instruments. With a preference for the former who intrigue their curiosity by sharpening their knowledge.
The show is based on the festivals that are so numerous in Ecuador and almost all of religious origin, and on the life of markets that are the great affair of the Inca populations scattered in the puna. And also on carnivals that are different from one province to another and where the sun plays a prominent role. As well as the beliefs in a founding system of the world that the Indians never managed to totally forget despite the efforts of the church. Some of these holidays, such as the one of «Corpus Christi», last the whole week. Others are a revolt against the Hispanic occupier. Older ones are welcome dances. Those on the coast are more reminiscent of black influence, but more generally of a more marked European influence.
All accompanied by the «Chicha», this corn beer with which the Indians greet the great events of a forgotten life to feed their dreams of greatness and happiness found again, they then have only the distant memory of a past glory.
