Culture Day

What are the ways you do the things you do? How is what you value and practice a reflection of those who come before you? Where does your culture come from? These are the questions the inspiring Glimpsers raised for me.
Today was the fabulous dia de cultura where as a GG Crew we explored multiple forms of art, expression, inspiration, and connections.
Our Activities today included:
Shout outs to Max, Diana, Beca and Eliza for running with the police academy of D.R. at 6am this morning. We all enjoyed a breakfast of cereal, pineapple, bread and cheese. After we enjoyed a culture seminar on identity led by Glimpsers, Daniel, Tiffany and Trang. Here we explored our personal and social identities to help us understand our identity to help understanding others.
We then went to an art lesson at the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Beautiful Arts) where our instructor Angelo shared lessons on drawing, with important techniques in shadowing, contours, shapes and we practiced a technique which involved capturing light on a charcoal canvas. Here we learned to be children again and the importance of inventing, exploring, creating, and having fun.
After lunch we ventured over to City Hall to experience a dance presentation from the Baile Folkloriko group of San Juan de la Maguana. Here we started with a game of WHA and learned that culture can be shared beyond the barriers of language. Cristian (our dance instructor) and his beautiful group of dancers shared a traditional dance known as Palo which honors the African tradition and ancestry in Dominican Republic. In addition we learned of the history  of Merengue and we also received dance lessons. To share our cultural exchange Glimpsers demonstrated various dances from the U.S. such as The Dougie, The Bernie, Cupid Shuffle, The REAL Harlem Shake, and many others. The key take away here is that we share with people from around the world, the language of dancing.
As leader of the day I was so excited to lead a day that is so rich with new experiences that help to challenge stereotypes, encounters that promote understanding, and encourage new perspectives.
Glimpser Answers to the Question of the Day
QOD: Why is it important to preserve culture? How is culture expressed in the DR?
Culture is a way to stand out from a group of people. It is our way of being our culture and a way of not being just a face in the crowd -Derek
Culture is what keeps people going that you can’t put your finger on. It gives you hope! -Max
Have knowledge of where you come from and why you are proud of it.-Tiffany

 

Thanks for reading the post.  We miss and love all of you!

Victoria

Art Class at Bellas Artes from an amazing teacher named Angelo

Art Class at Bellas Artes from an amazing teacher named Angelo

Our finished work!  We subtracted the charcoal and looked at the shadows and the light

Our finished work! We subtracted the charcoal and looked at the shadows and the light

We got our hands dirty...literally!

We got our hands dirty…literally!

Glimpsers being courageous and trying something new!

Glimpsers being courageous and trying something new!

Dancing the Merengue with amazing dancers @ city hall!

Dancing the Merengue with amazing dancers @ city hall!