Despite the rainy weather, the open-air theater in Mariinsky park was filled with inflammatory Latin American dances, songs and music. September either indulges us with Indian summer or fills the skies with gloomy clouds. Under the relict trees the Spanish-speaking church “Hornytsia” organized a charitable music concert with participants from Ukraine, Chile, Venezuela, Brazil and Cuba. Various Kyiv-based Latin American dancing schools were presented. The purpose of the event was strengthening mutual understanding and concordance between nations through music and songs.
The audience did not mind holding umbrellas. Only the stage mattered and the viewers could not take their eyes off it: bright footlights, national flags of the participating countries, colorful balloons, exotic costumes and huge flamboyant sombreros. Although most visitors did not speak Spanish, the performance of the Transfiguration church (Kyiv) made a considerable impression. Gripping and optimistic melodies captivated the audience with warmness, sincerity and the bright smiles of the performers.
The Latin American dance performance of Juancarlo and Maria from Peru were acclaimed. The audience, filled with “hot” beats, could not stand still. The public really liked the famous Cuban singer and musician Nelson. The charming baritone of the Cuban touched the soul by stirring up feelings and giving joy. Nelson calls the viewers on stage and the Kyivites and guests start dancing (as well as they could) to samba and rumba beats.
The audience listened to the singer and musician Henry Jose Pina Diaz (Venezuela) with great care. The colossal man (150 kilos!) was singing was amazingly. His singing was surprisingly gentle and penetrating (he sang that our planet Earth is beautiful and all the people should take care of it and live in prosperity and harmony)…
The Kyivan Latin American dance groups did not have to motivate the public any longer — the Mariinsky park open-air concert became a dance floor.
