Cevicos and its Ecological Carnival

“The most ecological, popular and democratic” is the phrase that describes it.

…their masks which are made with honeycomb parts creatively shaped and molded into artistic forms.

This is how locals describe their carnival and this is how it is known in the entire country. This municipality, which belongs to the Sánchez Ramírez province and is known for citrus production, has for decades celebrated one of the most anthropologically interesting carnivals in the country.

Experts agree that the theme of the carnival here, “The most ecological, popular and democratic,” is appropriate. Although some characters are very similar to those in Cotuí, the governing town in Sánchez Ramírez, Cevicos’ characters possess distinctive elements such as their masks which are made with honeycomb parts creatively shaped and molded into artistic forms. Another element that sets apart the masks is that they are decorated, in addition to the bits of honeycomb, with the hives of wasps which evokes the image of Mephistopheles.

Activities are carried out in the area around the town’s main park and adjacent streets which have remained closed to cars in order to guarantee public safety.

Parades of dancing troupes and ga-gá groups flood the streets. Artistic presentations are held on the stage to the delight of the spectators.

The organizing committee is presided over by Flavio Rondón who is joined by painter Victor Hinojosa, former municipal syndicate official Diógenes Contreras and Eneyda Morillo.

At the opening act, Rondón said the Cevicos community participates annually in the Carnival celebrations “providing continuity to a cultural tradition that confirms and reinforces its identity as a town.”

Carnival activities are going on every Sunday throughout February and will conclude on March 1st.