INDEPENDENCE

Venezuela celebrations

07-04-2009 | MIROSLAVA HERRERA BARSALLO

Panama Star PANAMA. On July 5th 1811, 300 hundreds years of spanish rule ended with the declaration of independence of Venezuela. This year, Venezuela celebrates the 198 anniversary of this turning point in their history with a variety of activities organized by the Venezuelan embassy in Panama. A fine arts exposition at the Miramar Intercontinental Hotel will be open to the public all day today. On Sunday morning, a brunch featuring Venezuelan gastronomy will be held at the hotel and will be open to the public. At 4:00 p. m. the celebrations move to the Hipodromo Presidente Remon racetrack for a commemorative handicap. On Monday July 6, a flower offering ceremony will be placed at the Plaza Bolivar in Casco Viejo to honor Simon Bolivar, The Liberator at 9:00 a. m. A puppet show and storytelling will follow at the Simon Bolivar School. Bolivar dreamed of a united America with Panama being the capital. “How wonderful it would be for the isthmus of Panama to be what Corinth was for the Greeks” he said.