Page 7 - aruba-today-20230109

a7
local Monday 9 January 2023

Torch Parade full of music, lights and excitement

ORANJESTAD – After two years, the Aruba’s Carnival. some participants who went all-out see all the beautiful clothes. Today,
people of Aruba enjoyed last Sat- “Aruba opens its 69th Carnival and decorated their t-shirts with the torch parade was really good.
urday a Torch Parade full of ex- with the Torch Parade. Success to stones, payet and lights, and even A very good atmosphere. We are
citement and carnival music. Six SMAC, all groups and participants. created headpieces with feathers ready to continue enjoying the rest
groups and more than five thou- Enjoy safely”, Maduro said on her to go with their outfits. of the parades”, he said.
sand people were on the streets official Facebook account.
enjoying the start of the 69th edi- “I love carnival. I am very happy Cornelia Werleman was also en-
tion of Carnival. During the parade, our reporter that we can enjoy carnival again. I joying the atmosphere of the Torch
spoke to some of the participants have been participating for many Parade – known as Fakkel – by the
2020 was the last year in which Aru- and spectators by the side of the years, I think it’s been over ten side of the road this year. “Normal-
ba celebrated a carnival season road to find out the sentiments and years. I am going all-out tonight. ly I go in the parade, but this year
before the pandemic of Covid-19 how they are enjoying inside and My make-up, my outfit, my head- I changed my mind and decided
arrived in Aruba around March outside the parade. piece. I am ready to enjoy and I to stand by the side and enjoy. I
and changed life completely. “Finally we can celebrate. After am ready for the other parades as am going in the big parades, but
Many were anxiously waiting this two years, carnival is back and well”, Joanne Ras indicated. I skipped Fakkel this year. The at-
big night to jump, dance and en- we are ready to enjoy – obviously mosphere was very good though”,
joy a season which is a big part of without going overboard. Every- Spectators by the side of the road she indicated.
Aruba’s culture. one, go slowly”, John Tromp, a par- were also enjoying the atmosphere
ticipant in the Torch Parade, who and the music of carnival. Jose Be it in the parade or by the side
Minister of Culture, Xiomara Mad- was enjoying the fun of the night, Hernandez and his family were of the road, there is no doubt that
uro together with the organization commented. by the side of the road enjoying the multitude of people who came
in charge of organizing Carnival, the parade as is their custom. “My out to open the carnival season
SMAC, lit the torch and at 7:58 the Enthusiasm was high since it was family and I enjoy carnival. We like enjoyed the Torch Parade and are
Torch Parade began its route to the first parade for the new season going to the parades and having a ready to continue celebrating Car-
officially open the 69th edition of of carnival, and this could be felt in good time. We stand by the side to nival 69.q