The PANANOLE News: FSU-Panama Student E-Zine

This November, our beloved Panama celebrated it’s 100 birthday as an independent nation. To commemorate this event, the Government of Panama arranged a series of activities all across the republic’s territory during the national holidays.

The celebrations started in Panama City, the nation’s capital, around 9:30 pm on “All Saints Day” (November 2nd), with the “March of Torches” conducted by the nation’s security forces. At that same moment, in Parque Urraca, the President of the “Centenial Commission”, Lorena Castillo, inaugurated the activities of the “Centenario de la República.” The march went all the way through Balboa Avenue, up to the Palace of Government, where the President, Mireya Moscoso gave a brief speech.

At 12:00 am of the 3rd of November, fireworks throughout the city marked Panama’s 100th Anniversary. The fireworks concentrated in the areas around the Presidency, the Ministry of Government and Justice, and the Contraloría General de la República. Fireworks were set off also in El Dorado and the Hotel El Panamá.

At 8:00 the following morning, Religious Festivities were held in the all the nation’s churches, followed shortly thereafter by the traditional November Parades, in which the security forces, students and other Panamanians showed their devotion and love for their country.

     On this afternoon also, the Ruben Blades concert took place. Blades, a renowned artist, filled the entire street. In the concert, he sang several songs among them “Pedro Navaja,” “Decisiones,” and “Patria.”

     On the night of the 3rd, the Centenary Concerts started with the presentation several national and international artists.

     On November 4th the parades and the Centenary concerts continued.

     On November 10th we commemorated the “Dïa del Grito de Independencia de la Villa de Los Santos.” On this day a parade was held in Las Tablas. Students of both public and private schools participated, demonstrating their pride in being Panamanians. In addition, some declarations, part of the Centennial activities, took place. These counted with the presence of Mireya Moscoso, President of Panama.

     Finally, last November 25th, Bellsouth, lighted the Bridge of the Americas. The event started around 7:00 PM with a spectacle of fireworks on the western side of the Bridge.

On this date, FSU-Panama students paid their respects to the country by planting Panamanian flags at the main entrance of the campus.

Of importance were the visits of Chiefs of States from several nations. Among them were Costa Rica’s President, Abel Pacheco; Alvaro Uribe from Colombia; Nicaragua’s Enrique Bolaños; Ricardo Maduro of Honduras; and Taiwan’s, Chen Shui-bian. Representing George W. Bush was US Secretary of State, Colin Powell.

These were the main activities that took place in celebration of Panama’s Centennial. Although the majority of these took place in and around the capital, it is of notable significance that the festivities also took place in cities all over the country.

*All pictures taken from La Prensa Web. [www.prensa.com]