In this excerpt, Solís discusses her philosophy of art and the power of community theater as a communicative tool. She is committed to theater that energizes, surprises, engages, and maintains the ability to engender change.
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Simona Esquina Pride for Congo Tradition
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses her pride for the Congo tradition and its importance to the towns of Panama’s upper coast.
Simona Esquina Changes to the Congo Tradition
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the changes she has seen in the Congo tradition over the course of her lifetime. Specifically, she talks about the rare existence of two palacios in 2003 and the shifting commitment of Congo practitioners who once participated in the tradition exclusively and without interruption during carnival season before the road was constructed in the early 1970s, which connected Portobelo and the rest of the Coasta Arriba to the broader Republic.
Simona Esquina Tourism Reviving Congo Tradition
In this short excerpt, Esquina talks about the ways in which tourism is reviving aspects of the Congo tradition in Portobelo.
Simona Esquina Memory of Mother Dancing
In this excerpt, Esquina shares one of her fondest childhood memories, the one and only time that her mother danced in the Congo tradition.
Simona Esquina Meaning and Significance of Congo in Portobelo
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the meaning and significance of the Congo tradition to Portobelo.
Simona Esquina Differences in Costumes
In this excerpt, Esquina discusses the differences between the costumes of the Congo community of Portobelo and other Congo communities in Panama.
Simona Esquina Presentations about Congo
In this brief excerpt, Esquina discusses occasions on which the community offers presentations of Congo performance locally as well as abroad and her perception of their response to the tradition.